Euro heavyweight schedule Tottenham talks with star’s ‘free’ exit likely for the best

A European heavyweight will soon ‘start negotiations’ with Tottenham over signing a player who’s being earmarked for a summer move at zero cost, per a report.

All in all, it’s been a disastrous season for Tottenham Hotspur. The north Londoners failed to build on snatching fourth spot at Arsenal’s expense last season, with the Gunners going one way and Spurs another.

Harry Kane’s long wait for major silverware will continue into next season. All that’s left for England’s top scorer to fight for at club level is a place in next season’s Champions League.

Antonio Conte’s much anticipated exit was announced at 10:20pm on Sunday night. His No 2, Cristian Stellini, will take interim charge until the end of the season, with Ryan Mason acting as assistant manager.

The search is on for Tottenham’s next permanent boss, though regardless of who takes charge, one potential player exit appears to make total sense.

Indeed, a report out of Turkey (via Sport Witness), stated Turkish giant Besiktas are plotting a move for Pape Sarr.

The 20-year-old central midfielder was a £14.6m (excluding future add-ons) signing from Ligue 1 side Metz in 2021.

Sarr was quickly loaned back to Metz for the previous campaign, though was retained in Conte’s first-team this year.

READ MORE: Tottenham sacked sixth best Premier League manager of all time in Antonio Conte

However, the Senegal international has struggled to make an impact with just 506 minutes of action racked up across all competitions.

What’s more, the vast bulk of those minutes only came while Yves Bissouma, Rodrigo Bentancur and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg were all sidelined at the same time. As such, Conte’s hand was forced.

Sport Witness state Besiktas hope to lure Sarr to Turkey, presumably with the promise of far more regular game-time.

They’ll reportedly ‘start negotiations’ with Tottenham ‘towards the end of the season’.

READ MORE: Julian Nagelsmann: Fabrizio Romano tells Levy how Tottenham can seal deal as ‘big problem’ claims emerge over German’s girlfriend

Tottenham unlikely to receive fee, but exit makes sense

Their aim is to sign Sarr on a season-long loan for ‘free’. In other words, they don’t wish to pay a loan fee, but would still be expected to cover a portion of Sarr’s wages.

Given how little Sarr has featured this season and the fact Bissouma and Bentancur will return to the fold when fit, a loan exit would be to the benefit of all involved.

Indeed, Besiktas would be landing a player they clearly rate highly. Tottenham would be protecting their investment with Sarr’s market valuation potentially rising if he excels, while the player would finally get the regular minutes he craves.

If Besiktas do open dialogue with Spurs as the report claims they will, negotiations may be straightforward – irrespective of who Tottenham’s next permanent manager will be.