There was a time when it appeared Takehiro Tomiyasu was heading to Tottenham.
Bids were made, and Fabio Paratici seemed intent on bringing the Japanese defender to London to help out Nuno Espirito Santo.
Then, nothing.
Why has never exactly been answered, but the most recent reports suggest the director of football simply didn’t like the amount Bologna were asking for, and hasn’t made a new bid since then.
Interestingly enough, that bid being accepted is all that was needed to complete the transfer, as Tomiyasu had already said yes to a contract offer from Tottenham.
That’s according to Il Resto del Carlino, who explain Spurs offered €20m, which was turned down, and, ‘on the eve of the match against Ternana had returned to knock on the door and seemed ready for the decisive relaunch’.
It never came, however, and that’s despite the fact Tomiyasu’s ‘entourage had negotiated a salary close to €2m/season for the next five years’.
Now, ‘a face to face is expected in the next few hours between the leaders of Bologna and Tomiyasu’ to figure out what the player wants and whether he’d be happy to continue with the Serie A club for another season.
The belief is he would, since he’s always been a professional, but should he make it clear he wants to leave, he will put the Italian side in a difficult situation: do they simply ring Tottenham and tell them they are now willing to accept the €20m?
Would Paratici still be interested in spending that much on the player?
We might soon find out.
