Report: Spurs were just £400k short of signing future first-team prospect on deadline day

Football Insider have revealed that Tottenham would have snapped up Southampton youngster Thierry Small had they been willing to offer £400,000 more than they did.

Tottenham strengthened their academy ranks with the acquisition of 19-year-old forward Jude Soonsup-Bell from Chelsea on transfer deadline day.

Fabio Paratici
(Photo by Vincent Mignott/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)

Sky Sports reporter Lyall Thomas revealed on Monday that Spurs were also working on a deal for Small in addition to Soonsup-Bell but a move for the Saints starlet did not materialise. The 18-year-old eventually ended up joining St Mirren on loan on deadline day.

Football Insider have now explained that Spurs were willing to offer £800,000 for the left-back in the latter stages of the window. It is explained that although the Saints were willing to sell the teenager permanently, they were demanding £1.2m.

Tottenham were allegedly not willing to improve their offer by the required £400,000, and hence pulled the plug on the deal.

Football Insider also reveal that Tottenham performance director Gretar Steinsson was the driving force behind the club’s interest in Small.

The report adds that although the youngster has been overlooked at Southampton, Spurs see him as a player with huge potential and as a future first-team prospect.

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Perhaps Tottenham decided not to pay extra as they realised that Southampton would have to sell Small for a lower fee in the summer. If it is true that the Spurs hierarchy rate the 18-year-old as highly as this report suggests, one would expect the Lilywhites to reignite their interest in the youngster in the summer.

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