Metz confirm Tottenham are close to Pape Matar Sarr signing

Tottenham are close to signing young midfielder Pape Matar Sarr, Metz president Bernard Sarin has confirmed. 

Sarr has been tracked by a host of top European clubs since bursting onto the scene last season with a string of exciting performances. The 18-year-old ended up making 22 Ligue 1 appearances during the 2020/21 campaign and has started each of Metz’s first two matches this campaign. 

However, he may have played his last game for his boyhood club with Spurs close to agreeing a deal for his services. Reports had suggested that Tottenham would be paying just €15m for Sarr and speaking to Amazon (via Fabrizio Romano), Sarin seemed to confirm that the fee would be around this level. 

“We’re in advanced talks with Tottenham for Sarr, yes - but it’s not done yet. Final fee will be higher than €10m,” he said. 

Sarr has a great deal of potential. Capable of playing as a deep-lying or advanced midfielder, he gets through a lot of defensive work and is also comfortable on the ball. He should soon become Spurs’ fourth signing of the summer after Bryan Gil, Cristian Romero and Pierluigi Gollini.

There could be further business to come, particularly if Harry Kane departs the club - even though Tottenham are committed to keeping him. 

Whether or not Sarr features in the first team in north London remains to be seen but Spurs do look light of quality in midfield. 

Tanguy Ndombele’s days at the club seem to be numbered after he was left out of the squad for each of his side’s opening three games of the season. A loan move seems most likely, although finding a suitor could be tough. 

Giovani Lo Celso and Harry Winks also failed to impress when handed minutes in Spurs' Europa Conference League defeat to Pacos de Ferreira on Thursday night.