Popular Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano downplays Tottenham Hotspur's interest in Barcelona Defender Mikayil Faye, as revealed in Caught offside.
The teenage youth academy star joined Atlético Barcelona at the start of the season and is considered one of the club's best defensive prospects. She has played 24 games for the Catalans in all competitions, and has even contributed three goals.
Spanish publication Sport He reported last week that Tottenham are interested in signing the Senegalese star. Girona was also credited with interest in him. The emergence of Pau Cubarsi has created a “plenty problem” at Barcelona and they could be willing to let Faye leave on loan or on a permanent contract with a buy-back clause before next season.
Outgoing Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández has already called up Faye to the first team once this season, against Mallorca for a La Liga match. The Spanish coach has not yet given him his first minutes.
Fabrizio Romano downplays the importance of links
However, Romano said he has “no information” about Tottenham's interest in the 19-year-old left-footed centre-back. The journalist revealed that teams like Nice, Lens, Girona and Ajax have shown interest, but 'let's see' who comes forward for the 'special talent' in the summer:
“There has also been a story about Tottenham being interested in signing 19-year-old talent Mikayil Faye from the Catalan giants. However, I have no information about it so far; all I know is that OGC Nice and RC Lens wanted him last January, but so did Ajax and Girona. Let's see who tries it in the summer but also remember that Barça considers him a special talent.”
While Romano may not be aware of any Spurs interest in the teenager, it doesn't seem like a far-fetched claim. Tottenham transfer The policy of recent times seems to be to sign young people with high potential and invest in them. Having a coach like Ange Postecoglou helps a lot in this regard.
Although Barcelona could consider him a special talent, at this point there are very few players in the Spanish club who are 'unsellable'. This is due to his terrible financial situation. Faye's contract at Barcelona has a £341m termination clause but the club may be tempted to cash in if a decent offer is put on the table, especially if it includes a reasonable buy-back fee.
Tottenham could be considering Faye as a possible back-up to the talented Micky van de Ven. As good as the Dutch defender has been, he seems injury prone. The Senegalese centre-back would be the perfect substitute to have in the squad. Let's wait and see how this particular transfer saga plays out come summer.
