According to a reliable source, Tottenham have a verbal agreement that will send Tanguy Ndombele to Napoli, but the deal’s structure won’t help them much right away.
Since moving to north London for $55.65 million, the French midfielder has fallen short of expectations. Ndombele hasn’t found a consistent starting position under three different managers, and according to Sky Sports, he’s one of four first-team players who could be cut.
After reaching an agreement with Villarreal regarding a second loan stint, Giovani Lo Celso will return to Spain. While Ndombele is moving to Naples, Sergio Reguilon and Harry Winks are both up for sale.
A loan with a buyout option was reportedly being discussed between the two clubs, according to The Daily Mail.
The same type of agreement brought Ndombele to Lyon in January, but the Ligue 1 team decided against making the switch permanent.
Fabrizio Romano, a transfer expert, has since advanced the narrative by tweeting that Tottenham and Napoli have reached a “verbal agreement.”
The terms are a loan with an option to buy, not a requirement, so Spurs might find themselves in the same situation again this time next summer.
Right now, the topic of personal terms is being discussed. But at least the first obstacle to a deal between the two clubs has been overcome.