There was no way that Danny Rose’s revealing, intriguing, cold-hard-facts interview with The Sun yesterday would not result in follow-up transfer rumors, though most of them so far have basically restated Rose’s rather level-headed (if brutally blunt and honest, and not to Spurs’ benefit) comments in a more sensational rumor-mill-y manner.
Until now.
Enter the Times, who are turning it up a notch. (Or they’re re-running Luka Modrić stories from six years ago, but more on that later.)
Tottenham players backing Danny Rose over pay row, by @MattHughesTimes @garyjacob #THFC https://t.co/8Zf2pQZqGC pic.twitter.com/I96RoMyVqX
— Times Sport (@TimesSport) August 10, 2017
The lede may be that Spurs players are backing Rose — and why wouldn’t they; he’s out there lobbying for better wages for them from the stingy owner — but the important part follows just after.
The England left back is prepared to push for a move to Chelsea this month if the Premier League champions follow up on their initial interest with a firm bid before the transfer window closes on August 31, and would also consider joining Manchester United, although they are not expected to make an offer this month.
Obviously, there are the usual words that leave open the possibility of none of this ever happening. IF one, THEN possibly the other, and still that would hardly guarantee anything.
IF Chelsea muster up a firm bid — and we’re talking £50m, if not more — THEN D.Rose is “prepared to push for a move” — that means transfer request, at minimum — but deals between Chelsea and Spurs simply do not happen. Conditions would have to be absolutely perfect, and Spurs are already reeling (and angry) after a similar scenario played out with Kyle Walker’s recent departure.
The Times do claim that Spurs are “deeply unhappy” with Rose’s interview and are “expected” to fine the left wing-back up to two weeks’ wages (or about what Walker earns at City in a single week). They have apparently not talked him about all that yet, however. Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino is set to address the media later today in his pre-match press conference ahead of Spurs’ opener this weekend away to Newcastle United. Rose himself is not expected to play as he’s still recovering from the knee issues that have ruled him out since January.
Tottenham have said that Rose’s criticism is an “internal matter”. The club are expected to fine him up to two weeks’ wages, worth £130,000.
Despite his references to a move north it is understood that Chelsea is his preferred destination at present.
-source: Times
It is at this point we’re all reminded of the Luka Modrić saga from 2011, when Spurs rejected a then-significant £27m bid from Chelsea. Modrić then submitted a transfer request, which Chelsea followed up with a then-massive and club record £40m bid. Spurs rejected again and then sold Modrić to Real Madrid twelve months later at a 20 per cent discount.
Spurs have not sold a player to Chelsea in well over 30 years, with Micky Hazard the last such lucky fellow back in 1985.