The Evening Standard have revealed that Tottenham Hotspur are now set to sign Ashley Phillips by the end of the week as a release clause in the defender’s contract is about to become active.
The report explains that Spurs initially thought they had a deal wrapped up for Phillips last month when they struck an agreement with Rovers worth an initial £3m up-front and a further £2m in adds-on.
The teenager is even said to have travelled to Hotspur Way for a medical before the Championship suddenly pulled the plug on the deal.
It is explained that they raised their asking price to £9.5m in the hope that they could spark a bidding war before a release clause of £2m becomes active this Friday.
Spurs are set to sign Ashley Phillips this week
However, Blackburn’s strategy backfired as no rival club entered the race for Phillips, who is said to be determined to complete a move to Tottenham.
The report adds that the Ewood Park hierarchy are still hoping to include a series of add-ons in the deal to take the 18-year-old to Spurs so that the Lilywhites might eventually end up paying about £6.5m for the youngster.
Spurs Web Opinion
Phillips would be an astute signing as there is no doubt about his potential but he is one for the future rather than someone who would improve our starting eleven straight away.
So, Spurs fans will continue to be restless until they see a couple of top-class centre-backs come through the door.
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