'Daniel Levy to thank' as Tottenham line up mega-money deals
Daniel Levy's shrewd negotiating on the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is behind Spurs' ability to spend big this summer.
That is according to John Wenham, who explained to Tottenham News just how the shackles have been freed this window.
Spurs are interested in signing both Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes before the window closes.
A £75million offer has been knocked back by Newcastle United for Tonali, but Spurs are not believed to be done yet.
Even if a deal is struck for Tonali, West Ham United's Fernandes could still be snapped up for a fee north of £60m.
Tottenham have already splashed out £52m on Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton and Hove Albion, but there is more to come.
Why is Daniel Levy to thank for Tottenham spending?
Levy was ousted as Tottenham chairman almost a year ago, yet still he remains a hot topic of debate.
Many felt it was going to be a case of 'same old' when a number of signings passed Spurs by in January - Connor Gallagher aside.
However, it is clear the Lilywhites mean business this summer amid the links with Tonali and Fernandes, on top of the completed deal for Van Hecke.
That is not to mention Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi also joining as free agents, as well as Martin Dubravka.
Wenham, the founder of Lilywhite Rose, has explained why Levy is partly to thank for this spending.
"Tottenham have got the huge stadium debt spread over 30 years at interest rates of something like 1.46 per cent with Bank of America," he said.
"In the current market right now, if you borrow money you're looking at five per cent. It's a totally different climate; that was what Daniel Levy was good at - locking in those kind of deals.
"He should get massive credit for that. His locking in of those deals has potentially allowed Tottenham to spend like they are now."
Fans will now have their fingers crossed agreements can be struck with Newcastle and West Ham for Tonali and Fernandes respectively.
When was last time Tottenham spent this much?
It has been reported Newcastle want £100m for Tonali, which Spurs are not willing to match.
However, that is not to say a compromise in the region of £85m cannot be reached.
The figure quoted for Fernandes, meanwhile, is anywhere between £60-70m.
Factor in Van Hecke's fee, and that is potentially around £207m spent on new signings for Roberto De Zerbi, who must be licking his lips.
That is not too far off the amount spent to sign Mohammed Kudus, Mathys Tel and Xavi Simons, among others, 12 months ago.
With two months of the window to go, it is not inconceivable Spurs could enjoy a spending spree of the like we haven't seen before.