Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea rarely do deals together but one Stamford Bridge talent could yet end up in North London.
The January transfer window is still a couple of months away but Tottenham Hotspur continue to be linked with potential signings.
This week has brought speculation surrounding a potential deal for Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap.
Midtjylland winger Dario Osorio has been linked whilst Tottenham are even thought to be keen on Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo.
Those are all attacking players but Tottenham may fancy adding a top talent for the future in defence.
- READ MORE: Tottenham confirmed signings, transfer ins and outs, loans and releases for 2024 summer window
Chelsea banish Tottenham Hotspur target
The Independent claimed last week that Tottenham Hotspur are interested in signing Chelsea defender Josh Acheampong.
The report suggested that Liverpool and Newcastle United were also keen but Real Madrid had shown a real interest.
Real are thought to have a long-standing interest in Acheampong and the injury to Dani Carvajal could accelerate a move.
The situation has taken a surprise turn though as Chelsea have now banished Acheampong over a contract stand-off.
The Athletic report that Acheampong will not play for Chelsea – at any level – until he commits to a new contract.
Acheampong is out of contract in 2026 and Chelsea have been in talks to keep him at Stamford Bridge.
With no deal in sight, Chelsea have decided to freeze Acheampong out of contention at all levels.
This is a rather bleak approach to the 18-year-old’s future but Chelsea believe a deal can be thrashed out eventually.
If not, clubs such as Tottenham will be ready to strike for Acheampong, who has been praised as ‘fantastic’ by Enzo Maresca, as he told Nizaar Kinsella.
Enzo Maresca on Josh Acheampong
This situation means that Acheampong is not in contention to play for Chelsea against Panathinaikos in the UEFA Conference League on Thursday night.
This would otherwise be a prime opportunity for Acheampong to play, but he is instead back home in London.
Boss Maresca has now told The Athletic that he thinks the situation is ‘a shame’ as he would like to use Acheampong in these games.
Maresca still hopes that Chelsea find a solution, believing that the focus should be on keeping Acheampong rather than selling him.
“To be honest, I feel a bit of shame for Josh because I think this kind of games can be an opportunity for him,” said Maresca.
“I had a chat with him, personally, about three weeks ago; about his situation and the chat we had was a very good chat, a positive chat but since that moment I haven’t spoken to him again. As I said, it’s a shame. I think Josh potentially can become a top player. He is still 18, so still very young, so many things can change for him, but he can potentially be (a) very important thing for Chelsea.
“It’s so important for the club that our intention is not to lose him. The first thing we need to do is to find a solution for his future.
“The most important thing at this stage is to get minutes, enjoy and to play football. For him, I don’t know the people who are trying to solve the problem, if they are helping him or not. I really like Josh and I would really like to have him here with us but it is not possible,” he added.
A right back with the ability to play at centre back too, Acheampong may be viewed as competition for impressive Spanish international Pedro Porro at Tottenham.
Chelsea would no doubt rather sell to Real than Spurs given the rivalry between the two clubs but the longer this situation goes on, the more Tottenham will have hope of prising Acheampong away from the Blues.
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