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Tottenham transfer news: Roberto Soldado not wanted by Bayer Leverkusen as Mauricio Pochettino raises doubts over striker's future

Soldado has been linked to a swap deal that would see Josep Drmic head to Spurs

Jack de Menezes
Tuesday 20 January 2015 15:46 GMT
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Poor Roberto Soldado. The striker has not enjoyed an easy ride since arriving at Tottenham in 2013 for a hefty £26m. He’s scored just 15 goals in 55 appearances, less than half of which have come in the Premier League, and he is being touted with a move away from England to rediscover his best form.

But no sooner had he been linked with a switch to Bayer Leverkusen than the club’s managing director has stressed that the club do not wish to be linked to Soldado as they’re not interested in him.

Ouch.

According to Sky Deutschland reporter Laura Lutz, the club have no plans to swap their Swiss striker Josep Drmic for Soldado.

Lutz told Sky Sports News HQ: “We talked to the managing director of Bayer Leverkusen and he says he doesn’t want his club to be linked with this player.

"They want to keep striker Josip Drmic, so if they keep him they won’t need Soldado. In Germany we think this move isn’t going to happen.”

Immediately after the news though, Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino was quizzed on the future of the Spanish striker, and his response didn’t give the feeling that the 29-year-old had a future at White Hart Lane.

"Any player is for sale,” said Pochettino ahead of Wednesday’s Capital One Cup semi-final first leg against Sheffield United.

"But we will work hard to keep all our players because we have a lot of games and we need a strong squad."

One player who does look to be on his way out of White Hart Lane is defender Kyle Naughton. The 26-year-old is nearing a £5m move to Premier League rivals Swansea as he seeks regular first-team football, with his ability to cover both sides of defence said to have impressed Swans manager Garry Monk.

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