Tottenham would have to pay over £28m just to sign a free agent this summer
Tottenham Hotspur are keen on securing Jonathan David on a free transfer this summer, but the North London club have just learned the eye-watering demands that the striker’s representatives have made ahead of a potential summer switch.
The Canadian striker looks set to be one of the most hotly contested signings of the summer window when his contract with Lille ends in June.
Over the last couple of weeks, it has been widely reported that Tottenham have held talks with David’s representatives regarding a summer transfer, but nothing concrete has materialised so far.
Unsurprisingly, many other clubs across Europe are ready to challenge Spurs for David, with the race intensifying as we get closer to the summer window.
Tottenham will have to spend big on Jonathan David
Journalist Sacha Tavolieri has now revealed on Sky Sports Switzerland that even though David is available on a free transfer, clubs have to spend a steep amount to bring him through the door after the demands made by his representatives.
The 25-year-old’s agents have reportedly informed interested clubs that they need to pay €9m (£7.5m) per season in wages, €15m (£12.5m) as a signing-on bonus and a further agent commission of €10m (£8.3m).
That means that just to sign off on the deal, Tottenham Hotspur and other interested clubs would have to spend an initial amount of €34m (£28.4m), making it an extremely expensive ‘free transfer’.
Serie A clubs have an advantage over Spurs in race for David
Tavolieri explains that the demands of David’s representatives have put Premier League clubs in a tricky position as in England, salary budgets are not subject to the same tax rules as transfer expenses.
On the other hand, Serie A clubs prefer to compensate for their lower transfer fees by spending more on player salaries as the tax legislations in Italy are very different to the UK.
This gives Italian clubs the upper hand in the race for David, with Juventus already said to have spoken to the striker’s entourage and Inter Milan also expected to enter the race shortly.
READ MORE: Tottenham move into pole position to sign Ligue 1 midfielder this summer
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