Vincent Janssen reportedly rejected the chance to leave Tottenham on loan in the dying embers of Thursday’s transfer deadline.
The 23-year-old was expected to leave the White Hart Lane following the £12million arrival of Spain international Fernando Llorente from Premier League side Swansea, which was confirmed earlier on deadline day.
According to Sky Sports reporter Lyall Thomas, he claimed on his personal Twitter account that the north London outfit had agreed a deal with Brighton for the transfer of Janssen, but the Holland international decided to reject such a move.
#Brighton still trying to get Janssen. Not clear whether loan or permanent #thfc
— Lyall Thomas (@SkySportsLyall) August 31, 2017
Janssen turned them down. He remains at Spurs, with even less chance at game-time. Not ideal #thfc
— Lyall Thomas (@SkySportsLyall) September 1, 2017
The Dutchman has failed to make an impression in Tottenham since his £17million move Dutch giants AZ Alkmaar last summer, where he scored 32 goals during 2015-16 across all competition.
However, Janssen managed just two Premier League goals last season, with one of them coming from the penalty spot and his future at Spurs was weakening throughout the summer.
Football Weeks considers whether his decision is a good move for Tottenham, and whether a deal is likely to be reached in the January transfer window.
Is Janssen’s decision for Tottenham a good one?
Keeping the Holland forward in the side gives Pochettino another option in the final third as his side prepare to compete on four different fronts with their participation in the Champions League.
Spurs’ number nine will be third in the pecking order behind Kane and Llorente, but could easily be given a chance to shine with both his rival strikers suffering injury for sustained periods last season.
He may find the time on the sidelines at Tottenham beneficial, as he works on his game from afar and use the lack of game time as a learning curve.
But for Tottenham, having extra alternative to turn to if a crisis does occur in the final third could prove to be a blessing in disguise further into the season.
What are chances of this happening?
A move in January is more than likely to occur, with Janssen given a month to make a decision over his future rather than just a few hours.
Llorente was signed in the final hours of the window, giving target man Janssen just moments to make a decision on his future which has ultimately seen him reject a move to Brighton.
But with more time to sort out his future in the upcoming winter transfer window, Janssen is more likely to accept a move elsewhere in order to reignite his stuttering career and show Spurs what he is capable of.