Club Brugge have been chasing Tottenham Hotspur’s Victor Wanyama for several weeks but haven’t been successful in getting the deal over the line.
On August 28th, the Belgian club’s manager Philippe Clement admitted the deal was in the hands of the midfielder and Spurs.
Two days later, Brugge general manager Vincent Mannaert stressed signing the Kenya international would be difficult.
The situation forced the Jupiler Pro League side to look elsewhere and Het Nieuwsblad reports they are close to signing FC Basel’s Éder Álvarez Balanta. The Colombian mainly operates as a centre-back, but can also play in the defensive midfield position.
Clement and Brugge’s priority was to sign Wanyama and they had ‘an agreement in principle’ with the 28-year-old and Mauricio Pochettino’s side for some time.
The player and the north London club then started making additional demands, according to the claims, which Club Brugge were unwilling to meet.
Since the deal was nowhere close to being completed last Friday, Brugge decided to look at other alternatives and this route led them to Balanta.
