Tottenham Hotspur have stepped up their pursuit of Benfica winger Andreas Schjelderup, with reports claiming Spurs intend to negotiate a fee considerably below the 22-year-old’s £100m release clause.
Football Insider report that Schjelderup carries a release clause worth £100m, a figure Tottenham have no intention of triggering. Instead, the club hope to open direct talks with Benfica and negotiate a substantially lower fee, according to the report.
Journalist Pete O’Rourke has confirmed Tottenham are firmly among the clubs interested, noting that Schjelderup’s World Cup performances – two assists against Brazil and a goal in the quarter-final defeat to England – have broadened his audience across Europe’s bigger leagues. The Norwegian is said to favour a Premier League move, which at least puts Spurs in a position to have that conversation.
A £34m floor that may already be out of date
Benfica had previously indicated they would consider offers starting at around €40m (£34.4m), but that valuation predates his knockout-stage performances at the World Cup. Any revised asking price is likely to be higher, and with Schjelderup contracted until 2028, Benfica hold most of the leverage here.
New Benfica head coach Marco Silva is reportedly determined to keep his key players intact as they target the league title, meaning Spurs will not find this straightforward.
Where Schjelderup fits the brief
O’Rourke confirmed the Norwegian fits the profile De Zerbi is targeting as a left-sided attacker, and Spurs are understood to be in the market for two wingers and a striker before the window closes. Schjelderup is open to considering a move, per the Football Insider report, which is at least a starting point.
Liverpool, AC Milan, Como and Atletico Madrid have also been monitoring the situation, so Tottenham are not operating in a buyer’s market. How this fits within Spurs’ broader transfer budget this summer will likely determine how serious the pursuit becomes when formal talks eventually open.
