Tottenham are on the verge of sending Bryan Gil back to Spain, though the terms of their proposed agreement suggest his story in north London is not fully told.
The 21-year-old arrived last summer in a deal that saw Erik Lamela move the opposite way to Sevilla. Spurs included £21.6m in the deal too, indicating how highly Gil was rated at the time.
However, after failing to impress both Nuno Espirito Santo and Antonio Conte, Gil was loaned back to Spain in January.
He joined Valencia on a six-month loan where by all accounts, he impressed. However, upon returning to north London over the summer, he clearly faced an uphill struggle to make an impression.
Spurs added Richarlison to a forward line that already contains Harry Kane, Son Heung-min and Dejan Kulusevski. Lucas Moura is also in reserve, meaning Gil would’ve been sixth-choice at best.
That prompted speculation of another exit, and per Fabrizio Romano, a return to Valencia is nearing. However, the terms of the looming agreement suggest he may still have a part to play in Spurs colours down the line.
Bryan Gil decision punted to 2023
The transfer guru tweeted Valencia are ‘set to complete’ an agreement to sign Gil on a one-year loan.
However, no option or obligation to buy will be included. Whether that was at Valencia or Tottenham’s directive isn’t clear, though common sense would dictate it’s at the latter’s behest.
Spurs have included an option to buy worth around £25m in the loan exit of Tanguy Ndombele to Napoli. The maverick Frenchman has no long-term future at Spurs, though the absence of such a clause for Gil suggests Conte thinks his winger might.
Still only 21 and with a contract running until 2026, there is no immediate need for Tottenham to sever ties permanently.
He clearly has an abundance of potential and Spurs will hope it can be unlocked through regular minutes at the Mestalla.
If he does return a much improved player, Spurs could benefit in two scenarios.
Firstly, they could retain him in the first-team from 2023 onwards and have a new weapon at their disposal.
Alternatively, if his Valencia displays have prompted his value to soar, Spurs may even be able to make a profit if they explore a sale.
Who else could leave Tottenham?
Left-back Sergio Reguilon is another who could leave via the loan route.
The Athletic reported Nottingham Forest are exploring a late-window coup. Steve Cooper’s side have already signed Harry Tofolo and Omar Richards for the left wing-back role. However, Richards is already on the treatment table having suffered a hairline leg fracture.
Talks between Spurs and Forest have taken place over the last fortnight, though a deal isn’t advanced at present.
Today’s Transfer Gossip also detailed a potential escape route to Serie A side, Atalanta.
Tottenham are sizing up 29–year-old forward Ruslan Malinovskyi and Reguilon could play a part in making that deal happen.