Tottenham Hotspur are not likely to try to re-sign Marcus Edwards this summer despite links in the Portuguese media, sources have told GIVEMESPORT.
Spurs are ramping up their plans for the summer transfer window and hope to complete a deal to sign Southampton midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, sources close to the club’s recruitment strategy have confirmed.
They are also interested in a deal to sign Arkadiusz Milik, with Jose Mourinho a keen admirer of the Napoli striker, though it remains to be seen if he would be willing to play a supporting role to Harry Kane.
Edwards has also been linked with a possible return; he has a €15 million (£13.4m) release clause in his contract with Vitoria de Guimares.
Spurs, though, inserted a 50% sell-on clause in the deal to sell Edwards to the Portuguese club and so would have to pay half that if they wanted to sign the 21-year-old in the summer transfer window, per A Bola via Sport Witness.
Edwards has played primarily as a right winger in Portugal, scoring six goals and registering nine assists in 23 games in the Liga NOS, including a strike in a 2-2 draw with Sporting CP.
There is a feeling at Spurs, however, that they would face a difficult task in convincing him to return to north London after the way his spell at the club ended.
Edwards came through the academy at the club but made just one senior appearance, coming on as a substitute against Gillingham in the EFL Cup under Mauricio Pochettino.
He was loaned out to Norwich City and Dutch club Excelsior and there is a concern that he feels he was not given the chances he deserved to become a first-team star.
Indeed, such is that concern that one source familiar with the player’s situation has claimed that he would much prefer a move to Arsenal.
It is not known if the Gunners have expressed an interest in securing his signature, but it suggests that there is a bad feeling lingering over Edwards’ departure.
It must be mentioned, though, that if Arsenal do decide to take a gamble on the former England U20 international, they will essentially be placing cash in the pockets of their bitter rivals, due to the aforementioned sell-on clause.
Liga NOS continues apace despite the COVID-19 pandemic and Vitoria are next in action on Tuesday, facing Benfica away from home.
They are currently seventh.