In December SportBild insisted that Tottenham were still keen on signing Max Meyer from Schalke. The idea wasn’t looking toward the winter window, but already setting down possibilities for the summer.
At the time, SportBild claimed Tottenham made a move for Meyer three days before the close of the summer 2016 transfer window.
Covering SportBild’s claims, we added: ‘Mauricio Pochettino’s claimed summer attempts didn’t work. Then, on deadline day, Moussa Sissoko joined Tottenham from Newcastle United. It’s conceivable Pochettino considered Meyer, who can play through the middle or on the left, before Sissoko.
A little digging shows that on August 30th, German newspaper Bild reported Tottenham could be set to make a €45m swoop for Meyer. A day later, the same newspaper reported that the deal was already dead because Tottenham had failed to present an ‘official’ offer, and Schalke were against selling because it was so late in the window.’
It was all conceivable, especially given that Max Meyer himself had been questioned about it in November.
Asked ‘As a national team player you are in great demand. Is it true that Tottenham wanted you in summer?’, Meyer replied: “I know that interest was there and the club was asked. But Schalke immediately put a stop to it. So the matter was settled. Of course, I have dealt with it. But I also know what I have at Schalke, and I like to play for this club.”
This week’s edition of Kicker ponders that both Max Meyer and Leon Goretzka could be leaving Schalke in the summer if the club, currently 11th in the Bundesliga, fail to secure European football.
Meyer’s contract expires in June 2018 and Schalke have made it known they’ll ‘probably sell him’ if they can’t agree a renewal before then. Schalke would hope to get €40m, which is maybe ambitious given the contract situation.
All of this represents a potentially perfect scenario for Tottenham to make a move for Meyer. The 21 year old can play on either wing, or though the middle, and is already a full German international.
It’s just all set-up so perfectly for Tottenham. They tried last summer, the player’s contract is ending, he’s not rushing to renew, and the club are minded to sell if he doesn’t.
Then there’s also the Nabil Bentaleb situation. Kicker believe he too could leave Schalke without European football, regardless of the German club having a €19m clause to buy him from Tottenham.
If Bentlab has second thoughts then extending the loan, and the clause for a year, could suit both him and Schalke, and smooth a potential Meyer move.
