A person with close ties to the industry has revealed whether Brentford striker Igor Thiago is a realistic target for Tottenham in January.
Thiago has been sublime for the Bees since the start of the season, ensuring that the losses of Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa have hardly been felt.
The Brazilian has eight goals in eleven Premier League matches and nine across all competitions, and is only behind Erling Haaland in the race for the Golden Boot.
It was first reported last month that Tottenham are eyeing a £30m move for Thiago in January, with Thomas Frank said to be keen on reuniting with the striker in N17.
Would Brentford be willing to sell Igor Thiago to Tottenham?
Brentford boss Kieth Andrews issued a hands-off warning to Spurs and Thiago’s other suitors, making it clear that the club do not have plans of offloading the striker.
Former Everton and Aston Villa CEO, Keith Wyness, who now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs, believes that the Bees will not consider letting the 24-year-old leave mid-season.
When asked if the West London club will listen to offers for Thiago, Wyness told Football Insider: “Look, they had a couple of players leave over the summer, Mbeumo and Wissa, to United and to Newcastle. So I think that’s enough, and I think that the squad are seeing enough progress themselves that there’s no need for them to go.
“I don’t expect him to be moving at all at this stage. I don’t think Brentford are trying to be a selling club in any way at all at the moment. I think the new owners coming in are happy with the way things have settled.
“With those two big sales they did do, there’s no pressure financially to do it. So I think that Brentford will try to strengthen. I don’t see Thiago moving at all.”
Spurs expected to face plenty of competition for Thiago
Even if Brentford decide to listen to offers for their marksmen, Tottenham Hotspur will not find it easy to complete a January deal.
Reports in Brazil indicate that Spurs face competition from both Aston Villa and Newcastle for Thiago, with the Magpies and Villans said to be big fans of the striker.
At the very least, it appears that the Lilywhites may have to pay a premium for the Brazilian, given Brentford’s stance and the growing interest in his services.