{"id":20676,"date":"2026-07-23T21:58:38","date_gmt":"2026-07-23T21:58:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=20676"},"modified":"2026-07-23T21:58:38","modified_gmt":"2026-07-23T21:58:38","slug":"tottenham-most-advanced-premier-league-club-in-race-to-sign-priority-de-zerbi-target","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=20676","title":{"rendered":"Tottenham ‘most advanced Premier League club’ in race to sign ‘priority’ De Zerbi target"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Tottenham Hotspur are refusing to give up on their pursuit of Benfica star Andreas Schjelderup, but the winger\u2019s World Cup heroics may make a deal difficult for the Lilywhites to complete.<\/strong><\/p>\n

It first emerged last month that Spurs are admirers of Schjelderup, who was one of the best wide players on show at the World Cup, notching up a goal and four assists in Norway\u2019s path to the quarter-final.<\/p>\n

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Over the last few days, several reports have indicated that Tottenham could step up their pursuit of the Benfica man, who faces an uncertain future in Lisbon.<\/p>\n

Some sources have claimed that the 22-year-old Spurs target is keen on making the switch to a bigger league after spending three years in Portugal.<\/p>\n

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Photo by Richard Sellers\/Sportsphoto\/Allstar via Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A new report in O Jogo (as relayed by Sport Witness) has claimed that the Lilywhites have approached Benfica to \u2018establish the conditions of a potential transfer\u2019 for the winger.<\/p>\n

The outlet says that Tottenham made this enquiry after Schjelderup emerged as one of Roberto De Zerbi\u2019s \u2018priority targets\u2019 this summer.<\/p>\n

The report reveals that Chelsea and Liverpool are also monitoring the Norwegian star, who scored 10 goals and provided seven assists for Benfica last season.<\/p>\n

However, the update suggests that at the moment, Tottenham appear to be \u2018the most advanced Premier League club\u2019 in the race for the winger.<\/p>\n

Spurs have to break the bank to land Schjelderup<\/h2>\n

O Jogo says the biggest obstacle to the deal could be Benfica\u2019s asking price, which has risen significantly in light of the player\u2019s performances at the World Cup.<\/p>\n

While the Portuguese club were willing to open talks at around \u20ac40m (\u00a334.4m) at the start of the summer, they are now expected to demand \u20ac80m (\u00a368.8m) for Schjelderup.<\/p>\n

In the meantime, Benfica have not given up their efforts to tie the winger to a new contract, although they have so far been unable to persuade the player to do so.<\/p>\n