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Spurs' cut-price deal for Zeki Fryers could anger Manchester United

Tottenham Hotspur have completed a £3 million deal for Zeki Fryers in a move that could infuriate Manchester United.

Zeki Fryers (right) left Manchester United five months ago
Controversial return: Spurs signing Zeki Fryers (right) left Manchester United for Standard Liege five months ago Credit: Photo: PA

Spurs  have taken the former United defender for a comparatively small fee less than five months after the 20 year-old moved to Standard Liege, ensuring the London club will have saved spending at least £2 million.

United were demanding £6 million in compensation from Spurs for Fryers in the summer as he was under the age of 23, but tribunal rules do not apply in Belgium and he signed a two-year contract there. But Spurs have returned in this transfer window to pounce for the left-back.

A Spurs statement read: “We are delighted to announce that we have reached agreement with Standard Liege for the signing of Zeki Fryers. The young defender, capped by England at under-16, 17 and 19 level, began his career at Manchester United before joining Standard Liege last summer. Zeki will link up with the club’s development squad.”

Fryers, who had trained with Spurs in the summer, only made seven first-team appearances for Liege and has been recruited to provide cover for Benoît Assou-Ekotto.

Assou-Ekotto, who has not played since September, is fit to start Saturday’s FA Cup third-round clash against Coventry.

Fellow defender Younes Kaboul, who has not kicked a ball this term after suffering a knee injury in pre-season, is unlikely to be fit until the end of February.

Tottenham look like losing out on one of their major transfer targets, Athletic Bilbao striker Fernando Llorente, who is in talks with Juventus about a move to last season’s Serie A champions.

The 27 year-old’s contract is up at San Mamés at the end of the season and the Spain international, who had also interested Arsenal, has stated that he will be leaving the La Liga side.

Llorente scored 24 goals last season to help propel Marcelo Bielsa’s side to the final of the Europa League and a 10th-place league finish.

After announcing his decision to leave, Llorente has been used sparingly by Bielsa this campaign, scoring just twice in 16 matches, the majority of which have come from the bench.

His lack of goals has seemingly done little to put off Juventus – who are eight points clear at the top of Serie A and on course to retain the title.