Transfer Centre

Tottenham Hotspur 'reluctant to let Pape Sarr leave in January'

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 28 December 2022

Spurs 'reluctant to let Sarr leave in January'

Tottenham are reportedly expected to reject any loan bids for Pape Sarr during the January transfer window.

Tottenham Hotspur allegedly have little intention in allowing Pape Sarr to depart the club during the summer transfer window.

In August 2021, Spurs committed to paying Metz a fee in the region of £14.5m for the youngster before allowing him to remain at his former club on loan.

During last season, Sarr was provided with 19 starts and 11 substitute appearances in Ligue 1, gaining further experience ahead of arriving in North London.

However, since being kept at Spurs for 2022-23 by Antonio Conte, the 20-year-old has not made a single appearance in a competitive fixture.

That did not stop the midfielder from earning a spot in Senegal's squad for the World Cup, Sarr going on to make two outings from the substitutes' bench.

Harry Kane celebrates scoring for England against Senegal on December 4, 2022 © Reuters

The second of those appearances came as a half-time introduction versus England when Senegal were already 2-0 down to the Three Lions.

Nevertheless, Conte was able to see his player's capabilities in that fixture, even if England did put the game to bed during the early stages of the second half.

Since then, Sarr has featured in a friendly versus Nice, earning positive comments from Conte who said that he had been left impressed by his contribution.

According to Spanish journalist Matteo Moretto, that is largely why Conte will likely insist on keeping Sarr in his squad for the second half of the season.

Sevilla head coach Jorge Sampaoli pictured on October 25, 2022 © Reuters

Sevilla, who have recently appointed Jorge Sampaoli as their new head coach, have allegedly registered an interest in Sarr and made contact with the relevant parties.

However, Moretto says that "to this day, Tottenham do not seem open to letting him go", leaving the La Liga outfit to consider other options.

Sarr was part of the Spurs squad for the Boxing Day fixture with Brentford, yet he remained as an unused substitute as his side came from two goals down to earn a draw in the London derby.

Rodrigo Bentancur, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Yves Bissouma and Oliver Skipp are currently ahead of him in the pecking order.