Tottenham transfer news: Paulo Dybala deal not dead – but time running out to solve image rights problem

The deal is not dead but both clubs are still struggling to solve Dybala’s image rights issue

Tottenham Hotspur today expect to complete the signings of Giovani Lo Celso and Ryan Sessegnon but are running out of time for a club-record deal for Paulo Dybala before tonight’s transfer deadline.

Spurs have already agreed personal terms with Dybala and earlier this week had a transfer offer accepted by Juventus – but the huge stumbling block to any deal remains untangling his image rights.

New Juventus head coach Maurizio Sarri has deemed Dybala surplus to requirements for the coming season and The Independent understands the club now deem offloading the player as vital for the smooth running of the rest of their transfer business this month.

They have already compromised on a price for the Argentina international and are now helping Tottenham to investigate whether the player’s labyrinthine image rights – which are owned by the Malta-based Star Image Company – can be settled after the completion of a transfer.

Sources close to the negotiations meanwhile say that the price to settle Dybala’s image right would be significantly lower than the £40m quoted in some Italian newspapers.

Juventus remain worried the sheer complexity of the deal could scupper any chance of a sale before tonight’s 5pm transfer deadline.

It was said to be “hanging by a thread” by a source involved at 11am on Thursday morning.

Dybala’s international team-mate Lo Celso is however expected to complete a medical in London today.

Real Betis finally accepted an offer from Tottenham late on Wednesday evening, thought to be worth in the region of £55m. The 23-year-old will initially join on loan with an obligation to buy – helping the Spanish side to reduce a sell-on clause fee owed to his former club Paris Saint-Germain.

The club also expect to finalise a deal for the Fulham teenager Ryan Sessegnon in the coming hours.

After weeks of negotiation Fulham are posed to accept a fee of £20m plus the Tottenham academy product Josh Onomah.

The signings of Lo Celso and Sessegnon would see Tottenham’s summer spending surpass the £100m mark, after the club signed Tanguy Ndombele for £55.4m and Jack Clarke for £10m earlier in the window.