Tottenham set to pass on opportunity to sign former player who could ease Thomas Frank’s selection issues
Tottenham are set to pass on the opportunity to re-sign a former academy product, despite ongoing squad registration challenges that could leave the club short in the UEFA Champions League.
Tottenham Hotspur risk heading into next season’s UEFA Champions League campaign with a depleted squad, due to a significant lack of club-trained players eligible for registration.
To meet UEFA requirements, each side must include at least four club-trained players in their 25-man A-list squad. These are players who have been registered with the club for three entire seasons between the ages of 15 and 21.
At present, Tottenham only have one player who fits that criteria in goalkeeper Brandon Austin, placing them well below the threshold and in a potentially problematic position.
A Tottenham return for Kyle Walker-Peters is doubtful
In order to navigate this issue, Tottenham have been exploring the possibility of bringing back former academy graduates who would meet the club-trained criteria.
Kyle Walker Peters, who spent over three full seasons at Tottenham between the ages of 15 and 21 before leaving for Southampton, has been one of the names linked with a return.
The 28-year-old full-back is currently a free agent following the expiration of his contract with Southampton.
There had been reports suggesting Spurs were considering a move for Walker Peters in a bid to boost their numbers for the Champions League, but according to Matt Law of The Telegraph, while the idea has been discussed internally, the club are not expected to pursue a deal for the former Southampton man.
Spurs also linked with Dennis Cirkin but no deal in place
Tottenham have been linked with Sunderland full-back Dennis Cirkin, another former academy graduate who ticks the box for UEFA’s club-trained quota, but unlike Walker Peters, he remains under contract and would therefore command a fee.
Cirkin came through the Spurs academy and was sold to Sunderland back in 2021, he has since gone on to make 116 appearances across all competitions so far for the Premier League newcomers.
Some Spurs supporters have called on the club to re-sign Walker Peters, citing his Premier League experience and versatility as reasons why he could serve as an effective squad player and backup full-back.
Cirkin may represent a younger option with room to develop under Thomas Frank, but if Tottenham have truly moved on from the idea of re-signing Walker Peters, it remains unclear whether they are planning an alternative solution to meet UEFA’s registration requirements.
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