Report: Tottenham Hotspur told to pay £68m to sign top transfer target | OneFootball

Tottenham Transfers: Benfica Stand Firm on Andreas Schjelderup as Spurs Make Early Contact

Tottenham’s search for greater firepower in wide areas has led them towards one of Europe’s most closely watched young attackers, with TeamTalk reporting that Benfica winger Andreas Schjelderup is firmly on the club’s radar. Early contact has been made, but the message from Portugal is already clear, any deal will demand a major outlay.

Benfica’s position is described in emphatic terms. Tottenham “have been told that Portuguese giants Benfica will accept nothing less than €80million (£68m / $91m)” for the Norwegian winger, a figure that underlines both the player’s rapid rise and the Portuguese club’s confidence in his long-term ceiling.

Andreas Schjelderup Price Set by Benfica

Sources indicate Spurs are “very keen to strengthen that side of their squad” and believe Schjelderup can bring “pace, creativity and end product” to their forward line. That profile explains the growing interest. At 22, he appears to fit the recruitment model of a club looking for immediate impact with significant room for development.

His recent form has only increased the noise around him. The report notes that Schjelderup “took his fine form from last season into the World Cup with some standout displays for Norway”, including a goal against England in the quarter-finals and four assists across the tournament. Those performances have helped push his valuation higher, particularly with multiple clubs across Europe now monitoring the situation.

Photo IMAGO

Benfica, as ever, are in no mood to sell cheaply. According to the report, club sources “do not feel under any pressure to sell for less than €80million (£68m / $91m) and will drive a hard bargain”. That has become a familiar posture for the Lisbon side, whose track record in extracting maximum value from elite prospects is well established.

Tottenham Transfer Interest Remains at Early Stage

There is, at present, no suggestion of an advanced negotiation. The update states that “talks between Tottenham and Benfica remain at a very early stage, with no formal offer yet submitted”. That is an important detail, especially with Spurs also linked to other attacking targets, including a reported £60m move for Savinho.

What may encourage Tottenham is Schjelderup’s stance. He is “very open to a move to the Premier League” after “rejecting the chance to sign a new contract extension at the Estadio da Luz”. Even so, Benfica still hold a strong hand. His contract runs until 2028, and the club believe they can dictate terms from a position of strength.

The report also adds that Liverpool and Chelsea “do hold confirmed interest”, which gives this story a familiar transfer-market edge. Tottenham’s advantage, if there is one, lies in the fact their approach has been proactive and early. Whether that translates into a formal bid is the next point to watch.

Spurs Squad Planning and Forward Options

Schjelderup’s appeal goes beyond one position. His “versatility across the forward line” is seen as a significant plus, particularly for a side wanting more fluidity and threat in attacking areas. In a market where elite wide players are scarce and expensive, Spurs will need to decide quickly whether Benfica’s price is steep but realistic, or simply beyond where they want to go.

There is also a wider backdrop to the club’s summer business. The same report says “interest in Tottenham striker Richarlison has intensified in recent weeks”, a reminder that incoming and outgoing movement could shape how aggressively Spurs pursue a deal of this size.

Our View

From a Tottenham fan perspective, this is one of those links that feels exciting, but also slightly uncomfortable once the fee comes into focus. Schjelderup clearly has talent, and if he really can add “pace, creativity and end product”, then he sounds like the sort of modern forward Spurs need. The World Cup performances only add to the intrigue, especially for a player who seems to be building momentum at the right age.

That said, €80million (£68m / $91m) is serious money for someone still proving himself at the top level. Benfica are brilliant sellers, everyone knows that, and Tottenham have to be sure they are buying a future star rather than paying a premium at peak hype. Supporters will love the ambition if the club push on, but there will also be understandable concern if this becomes another expensive chase that drags on.

The encouraging part is that Schjelderup is said to be “very open to a move to the Premier League”. That always matters. Spurs need players who genuinely want the move, not just the salary or the platform. If the recruitment team believe he can grow into a leading figure in the front line, this may be one worth stretching for.

Still, the key is balance. Tottenham cannot ignore other needs in the squad for the sake of one glamour signing. If the numbers can be negotiated down, or structured smartly, then this could become a very interesting deal. If Benfica stay rigid, Spurs may need to decide whether conviction matches the cost.

Source: TeamTalk