Tottenham close in Davinson Sanchez signing despite dispute with Ajax over payment
Davinson Sanchez looks likely to become Spurs' first signing of the summer. CREDIT: EPA
Tottenham Hotspur are closing in on their first signing of the summer, despite a last-minute dispute over how quickly the fee for Ajax central defender Davinson Sanchez will be paid.
Sanchez did not report to the Ajax team hotel for the Dutch club’s Europa League play-off against Rosenborg on Thursday night, as Spurs attempted to finally secure his signature.
Tottenham are willing to pay around £28million up front and a potential £14m in add-ons to take Sanchez to White Hart Lane.
With the two clubs in broad agreement over the figures, it is believed that a final agreement is just waiting on how quickly the fee will be paid by Spurs with Ajax trying to bring it forwards.
The dispute over the payment schedule is not expected to scupper the deal with Sanchez keen to complete a back three of former Ajax defenders at Spurs with Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld.
It is understood that Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has been personally pushing for the signature of Sanchez, having become convinced he is the perfect man to strengthen his back line.
The 21-year-old Colombia international has previously been tracked by Barcelona and was a key part of Ajax’s run to the Europa League final last season.
Sanchez’s expected arrival will allow Tottenham to offload Kevin Wimmer to West Bromwich Albion and will give Pochettino a big boost.
He can operate at both centre-back and right-back, where Spurs are short following the departure of Kyle Walker, and it now remains to be seen whether or not the club continue to chase a specialist right-back to compete with Kieran Trippier.
Pochettino wants at least three new players by the time the transfer window closes at the end of the month with midfielder Ross Barkley and a forward still on his radar.
