Tottenham Hotspur suffer transfer heartbreak from Lewes FC starlet Ollie Tanner
As per the Express, Tottenham Hotspur’s pursuit of Lewes FC youngster Ollie Tanner has taken a dramatic twist after the player rejected Spurs’ approach and stayed on with his club to play in the Isthmian League premier division.
At 19, Tanner managed to catch the attention of a Premier League side in Tottenham, who were keen on securing his services this month. The player, however, appeared to be having none of it.
Tanner’s decision is surprising because the youngster plays for Lewes FC, a non-league side. Spurs were interested in signing the player to bolster their attacking resources; such is the winger’s talent.
Manager Antonio Conte is yet to see many new faces arrive in north London this month, despite seeking reinforcements for the side as he looks to make up for the lack of quality in his squad. In Tanner, the club would be acquiring a player who has impressed many, despite not playing in one of England’s many recognised football tiers.
Incredible U-turn
Despite Tottenham and Lewes FC agreeing on a fee for Tanner, it now seems that the player is staying put in what has been an incredible turn of events over the past few days. The teenager appears to have something holding him back from making an amazing jump from non-league football to playing in the Premier League.
Tanner may have been put off by the personal terms offered by Spurs, as a statement released by Lewes seems to have indicated so.
“Lewes Football Club would like to confirm that whilst the club and a Premier League club agreed a deal in principle for the transfer of Ollie Tanner, Ollie and the Premier Club were not ultimately able to agree personal terms and he remains a Lewes FC player.”
Tanner had impressed folks at Spurs while training for the club’s development squad, which is what prompted the interest in securing the winger’s services. However, he seems to now have rejected the approach from Conte’s side, favouring a stay at Lewes.
This certainly comes as a slap in the face for Tottenham, who have also seen moves for Adama Traore and Luis Diaz fail in recent weeks, despite making serious moves to land them. Conte’s cry for more signings looks to be falling on deaf ears as the club struggles to lure players to N17.
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Though Tanner was never expected to take to the first team immediately, a career at Spurs seemed likely for the youngster. He could have honed his talents in the club’s reserves before eventually taking to the field for the first XI.
However, the starlet is now set for another year’s stay with Lewes after not being able to agree personal terms with Spurs. Although not much information is available regarding the reasons for Tanner’s rejection, it surely puts a blot on Tottenham’s fortunes in the transfer window.
