Wolves boss Burno Lage has hinted that the West Midlands club will play hardball with rumoured Tottenham target Adama Traore just as Spurs did with Harry Kane in the summer.
According to The Telegraph, Tottenham have had their opening £15m offer for Traore turned down by Wolves, who were said to be holding out for £20m.
90 min have claimed that Lage’s men want £22m, including add-ons, for the pacy winger and stated that the two clubs are still locked in talks over a deal.
The report also suggested that Traore has made it clear to the Wolves hierarchy that he wishes to join Spurs.
Lage has now cited the example of how Tottenham held off Manchester City’s advances for Kane in the summer (Eurosport), insisting that Wolves will similarly protect their player.
When asked about Spurs’ offer for Traore, he told Birmingham Mail: “I don’t know how much they offered and I don’t know really if they did any offer. I won’t talk about money because that’s not for me.
“We have a top player with us, a lovely guy. Sometimes it’s about business. I remember how much Tottenham protected Harry Kane at the beginning of the season.
MORE SPURS STORIES
“And we will protect our player because we believe a lot in Adama. That is business. It’s not my concern. But I will protect my players. The way they work, the value for me is very high.”
Despite Traore’s reported keenness to move to North London this month, Lage insisted that the 25-year-old continues to behave professionally.
He added: “It depends what’s best for each, the player and the club. I don’t see any difference in his behaviour, his mentality, the way he works.
“I’m happy with him. He continues to be the same player. As you know, he just has one more year left (on his contract). The club talks with him and he talks with the club, and they will decide the future.
“Until today, he’s focused, he’s ready and a good example is the way he jumped from the bench and helped the team win the game (vs Southampton).”
Spurs Web Opinion
Lage has understandably chosen his words carefully but reading between the lines of what he is saying, it sounds like the Portuguese coach expects the two clubs to agree on a deal.
I would not be surprised to see the negotiations drag on until the final few days of the transfer window as both clubs will look to get the best deal possible.
Keep up to date with all the latest Tottenham news and opinion by following SpursWeb’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts.
