Credit: Manh Tung, Breaking Media

Richie Mills

Sat 11 April 2026 7:40, UK

Tottenham Hotspur will have to sell their “crown jewels” for more modest fees if they don’t stay in the Premier League amid concerns about their relegation release clauses.

That is according to sports finance expert Professor Rob Wilson, who predicts that suitors for the likes of Archie Gray, Cristian Romero, and Dominic Solanke will open with offers 30-50 per cent below Tottenham’s asking price if they go down.

Tottenham will want to make a profit on the £40million they forked out for Gray, Romero is said to be valued at between £40-50m, and the likes of Solanke and Micky van de Ven are likely to attract big fees, too.

If Spurs fail to stay up, there is no doubt a mass exodus will follow. Although Tottenham have had a wretched season, there is unlikely to be any shortage of interest in their prized assets.

Tottenham have been predicted to lose hundreds of millions if they drop into the Championship, and even with their players having relegation release clauses, the financial nosedive will be catastrophic.

Tottenham will be forced into transfer corner

Professor Wilson told iNews that Tottenham will face a revenue loss of £200m if they get relegated. Former executive chairman Daniel Levy reportedly inserted relegation release clauses that will see their players take a 50 per cent pay cut if they fall into the Championship.

Wilson, however, warns that this is not enough. Indeed, 17th-placed Tottenham are said to have the seventh-highest wage bill in the division at £2.63m gross per week.

He said, “Some other clubs could even have 90 per cent relegation clauses or agreements for players to move. But because Spurs have been relatively stable in the Premier League, they don’t have the clause they would need in order to properly survive.

“It’s nowhere near enough. You need a minimum 75 per cent relegation clause in order to balance your books when you go down.”

Wilson also added that Tottenham face losing their “crown jewels” to balance the budget. Rival clubs know Spurs will not be in a strong position and they will try to take advantage of it.

He added, “Everyone knows you’ve got to sell, so they’ll squeeze down the value of the players. Football needs to grow up and look at itself in the mirror. Clubs are being held to ransom by players and agents.”

How much will Cristian Romero be sold for?

That question may depend on what division Tottenham are in next season, with the defender linked with Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid as a summer exit looms.

Last season, Tottenham’s results were those of a top 10 Premier League side when Romero and Van de Ven were in the team. This term, however, the Argentina international has let Spurs down.

While he averages 4.1 clearances per game, 3.9 ball recoveries, 1.3 interceptions, and 2.5 tackles, Romero has made one error that has led to a goal, and has been sent off twice.

His aerial duel success is at an impressive 72 per cent, and he has scored four goals, from an Expected Goals tally of 1.27, in 22 league games. But his indiscipline has seen him miss multiple matches.

Romero’s captain qualities have been questioned this season, at a time when Tottenham remain winless in 13 Premier League games (eight losses and five draws).

Only once in their league history have they had a longer run without victory, going 16 matches from December 1934 to April 1935. They are just one point and one place above the relegation zone, too.

Before they can truly contemplate getting relegated, Tottenham face Sunderland on Sunday in Roberto De Zerbi‘s first game in charge.