Tottenham have been completely toothless since Harry Kane left for Bayern Munich three years ago on a deal that left €95 million in the London club’s coffers. – When Son Heung-min went to LA FC on a transfer worth 22 million euros last summer
Tottenham, who have an obvious problem with the left wing position, which was not rectified last summer when club legend Son Heung-min left for LAFC, sees Andreas Schjelderup as an ideal successor. “And they should be willing to pay, the previously so grumpy London club has really taken out the big chequebook this summer.
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Things are not going very well for the South Korean right winger in MLS, but if we are to believe Sky Sports, there is no return in the cards this summer. Tottenham, who have been abnormally loose on their money this summer, have still not put in place someone who can really fill the place of their former captain, until now.
Benfica’s €40 million valuation for Andreas Schjelderup was too high to trigger Tottenham’s interest, they were set to let him go to Barcelona, who were trying a combined cash and player deal. – But that was before the double assist against Brazil and scoring with England in the World Cup.
Towards the end of José Mourinho’s time as Benfica manager, he began – to his own surprise – to give the Norwegian left winger more and more space in the team. It paid off, and opened the door to the national team wide open.
Andreas Schjelderup did not allow himself to be asked twice. He went into the World Cup as a substitute. He left the championship as one of the tournament’s most sought-after youngsters.
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Now Benfica – who have just brought in a new manager after Mourinho took over the helm at Real Madrid – are faced with a choice: Renew the contract, or sell for an ever-increasing fortune.
Tottenham and the giants are lining up
Tottenham have an obvious problem on the left wing – one that was not solved last summer when club legend Son Heung-min left for LAFC. Now the London club sees Schjelderup as an ideal successor. And they must be willing to pay. The previously stingy club has really taken out the checkbook this summer.
Barcelona, Arsenal and Crystal Palace also have their feelers out and the buy button ready.
From silence to stardom
The Norwegian international came to the World Cup in silence. As a substitute in Norway’s squad. He returned home as a starter – and goalscorer – in the drama against England (1-2). Two assists for Erling Haaland against Brazil (2-1) were no small thing. But Saturday’s game against England established the 22-year-old as one of Europe’s most exciting wingers.
It has not gone unnoticed.
Now Schjelderup is seriously on the radar of sharks from the biggest leagues. And the price? It has skyrocketed. In fact, he could be the second most expensive Norwegian football transfer of all time.
Benfica in a bind
Manager Marco Silva – who was bought out from Fulham – really wants to keep his Norwegian stars in the fight for league gold. But the relationship between Schjelderup and Benfica was already strained before the World Cup.
The club has put a renewal proposal on the table, but the player has not yet responded. According to information A BOLA has gained access to, the process has not become easier. On the contrary.
Schjelderup is now seriously considering leaving Luz as early as this summer – despite the fact that he has two years left on his contract. That separates him from António Silva, who has one year left and has not renewed either. But Schjelderup is on the rise, and he knows it. Benfica knows it too.
For Marco Silva, the Norwegian is a relevant, valuable and perhaps urgent piece in the attack. Along with Aursnes – who are also out of the World Cup – Schjelderup is a certain absence when Benfica travel to Switzerland to face St. Gallen on July 23. Marco Silva himself has acknowledged this.
But Benfica’s sporting director, Mário Branco, and club president Rui Costa may see the situation differently. After all, we are talking about a lot of money.
Millions roll in – but one big deal is missing
Benfica have already earned over €40 million from minor sales and bonuses in the transfer window. But the club’s coffers still lack the big sales. It could well be Schjelderup.
A sale of the Norwegian would hurt Marco Silva. But it would also give Benfica financial leeway to bring in players the coach has already identified for several positions. It’s a classic dilemma: Keep the star – or sell to strengthen the team broadly.
Before the World Cup, and after a good end of the season, the price tag was around 40 million euros (about 446 million kroner). Something most people thought was a bit high. Transfermarkt, at the last update at the end of June, believed the value of the 22-year-old was 30 million euros.
Now, after the World Cup success, Benfica will not start negotiations for less. With two years left on their contract and a buyout clause of 100 million euros, they are in a strong negotiating position.
We are easily talking about a valuation of over half a billion kroner.
The dream of England
Schjelderup’s desire to play in England is no secret. The Premier League has never paid more attention to the Norwegian. Tottenham, Chelsea and Liverpool are all said to be monitoring the situation closely, according to the latest market information.
But the challenge for the clubs who want to sign him is twofold: Benfica are demanding a huge amount, and Schjelderup himself seems increasingly determined that the way forward is out of Lisbon.
Now a rest period awaits before he returns to Seixal. If the exit negotiations are not concluded by then, mandatory talks with Marco Silva, Mário Branco and Rui Costa await. The renewal proposal is on the table. But above all, the decision about the future lies in Schjelderup’s own hands.
“I feel robbed”
After the World Cup exit against England, Schjelderup was clearly affected. In an interview, he expressed frustration with the refereeing decisions and the feeling of being “robbed” for one of the greatest achievements in Norwegian football history.
But one thing is certain: No matter what happens in the future, Schjelderup has shown the world what he is good at. Now it’s up to Benfica – and the sharks circling – to decide how much they’re willing to pay for one of Europe’s most exciting football talents.
The biggest transfer for a Norwegian player is Erling Braut Haaland, who joined Manchester City for €60 million.
