COMMENT: It was bold. Decisive. And in the best interests of Tottenham. Daniel Levy's decision to get on the front foot and OFFER Christian Eriksen to Real Madrid can leave Spurs well out in front...
In Madrid on Saturday, the backpages were screaming. Levy had been worn down. The Spurs chairman had had enough. From demanding €200m before the end of last season. And doing little to encourage any type of offer. Levy had performed a dramatic U-turn. He had initiated a new round of negotiations with Real. Calling out of the blue Jose Angel Sanchez, Real's vice-president and prime dealmaker, with a proposal. Real could have Eriksen. Not for €200m. Not even for €100m. But for a cut-price €70m.
With the player's deal about to enter it's final 12 months, Levy - apparently - was desperate. It was time to cash in before losing the Dane for nothing in a year's time.
A nice theory. But there's a bit more - actually there's a lot more - to this than simply Levy caving into Real's negotiating tactics. This is a calculated gamble from the chairman. A loaded roll of the dice that should end with Eriksen not only remaining with Spurs next season, but also signing a new contract.
It did come out of the blue. And to be fair, this column was taken aback by last night's story as much as anyone. But today, Levy has a head of steam about him. His actions really shouldn't surprise.
Lyon president Jean Michel Aulas has already confirmed one offer of €45m from Levy for Tanguy Ndombele, with claims of an improved €65m bid tabled now breaking across France. Jack Clarke, the Leeds United midfielder, passed his medical at Spurs Lodge on Friday. A contract has been tabled to Celta Vigo whizkid Yago De Santiago. And meetings have been held with the agents of Sporting CP midfielder Bruno Fernandes and Fulham teen Ryan Sessegnon. After almost two years of zero transfer activity, the place is now jumping.
Which is why, regarding Eriksen, such a show of aggression by Levy shouldn't be such a surprise. And you can be sure he hasn't done this in isolation. Eriksen and his minders will have been kept up-to-date right to the moment that call was made to Sanchez.
Levy is making this move in full knowledge of what the outcome could bring. Yes, with it all breaking today across Spain and England, there'll be speculation that Eriksen is up for sale. And if it's not to be Real Madrid, then surelyPSG, Manchester United or Bayern Munich will offer him an alternative...
But as it stands now. Levy knows that for Eriksen it is Madrid or bust. The chairman simply picking up the baton dropped by the Dane's agents last week.
Eriksen is actually nervous about entering the final year of his Spurs deal. He's one for stability. For everything having it's place. The uncertainty of running down his contract isn't something he'd like to flirt with.
As such, Eriksen instructed his agents ten days ago to get an answer from Real. Did they want him or not? If the response was negative, the midfielder was happy to enter new contract negotiations with Levy.
But with Real hesitant to commit to anything, Eriksen has been left frustrated. They haven't ruled anything out, but the feedback also being he wasn't exactly ruled in. In a round-a-bout way, Eriksen was told he was no priority.
So enter Levy. With Real leaving the Eriksen camp hanging, the chairman made his move. A calculated risk. Give Eriksen his answer. At a price of €70m. Or look elsewhere.
Knowing Paul Pogba was the one Real wanted, particularly for coach Zinedine Zidane. And knowing Eriksen had made it clear it would only be Madrid he would leave Spurs for. Levy has rolled the dice.
At €70m. In today's market. Eriksen knows Levy isn't pricing him out of his dream move. And by making first contact. The Dane also can't accuse his boss of running down the clock.
They're both on the same page. Of the same mind. Which is why when Sanchez offers the same answer as he did Martin Schoots, Eriksen's agent, Levy will have won. United may see an opening. As could PSG. But Eriksen won't be seeking alternatives. There'll be no transfer merry-go-round involving United and Pogba. The chairman has done right by him. It's Real that have messed him around.
And with Ndombele, Clarke and potentially Fernandes on their way, Eriksen will put pen to paper confident last season's run to the Wanda was no one-off.
As it stands today, this gamble by Levy will leave Spurs well out in front.