Exclusive: Tottenham must ‘pay over the odds’ to seal Rodrygo transfer, £8.6m+ in wages
This article includes exclusive comments from Football Espana editor and writer Ruaridh Barlow.
Tottenham have set their sights on Real Madrid star Rodrygo Goes, but a deal will not be easy.
Rodrygo could be headed for the exit door at the Bernabeu following the appointment of Xabi Alonso, and there is no shortage of interest.
Tottenham could be in the market for another attacker following the signing of Mohammed Kudus, and a left winger would significantly strengthen them.
While Rodrygo would be an outstanding signing for Spurs given his ability, potential and superstar status, a deal would be very difficult given the costs involved.
Spurs unlikely to afford Rodrygo wage demands
Other Premier League sides, including Arsenal and Liverpool, have been linked with Rodrygo, and it appears that not only will a huge fee be necessary, but any interested party would have to offer him a massive contract.
Speaking exclusively to Tottenham News, La Liga expert Ruaridh Barlow, editor of Football Espana, has explained that Rodrygo would command a salary north of £8.6million per year, with a pay cut absolutely not on the cards.
That would see Daniel Levy pay more than £166,000 a week.
| Rodrygo | La Liga stats (2024/25 season) |
| Appearences | 30 |
| Starts | 22 |
| Goals | 6 |
| Assists | 5 |
“Rodrygo is reportedly on a £8.6m salary per year already, so they would probably need to pay more than that,” Barlow stated.
“If he leaves, it is partly because he wants to be the main man elsewhere, and taking a wage cut doesn’t fit with that.
“Given Tottenham have not been competing for titles in recent years, and their finishing position last season, the honest opinion is that Spurs would have to pay over the odds to convince Rodrygo of a move, especially if Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool are in the frame.”
Tottenham unlikely to sign Rodrygo
Given that Rodrygo would likely command a massive pay rise on his current contract, as well as a huge fee, the finances of any deal would likely be out of Tottenham’s reach.
Son-Heung Min has been linked with an exit, and cutting his wages off the books could make some space for Rodrygo, but it would still take a huge outlay to sign him.
There is also the added prospect of PSG or Liverpool coming in for him, and Spurs may wish to quickly move on to other targets rather than trying and likely failing to sign the Real Madrid star.
£158m reveal showcases Tottenham incompetence – but massively raises pressure on Thomas Frank
Tottenham have shown their willingness to back new head coach Thomas Frank this summer.
Mohammed Kudus was signed from West Ham in a deal worth around £55million, and Mathys Tel’s move from Bayern Munich was made permanent.
Spurs looked to have followed up the signings with a move for Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White after triggering a £60m release clause in his contract, but that signing has been thrown into doubt after Forest disputed the approach made to the player.
Frank will hope further signings follow nevertheless, with decision-makers at The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium eyeing moves for Joao Palhinha and Adam Wharton.
Spurs attack ranks among most expensive
Frank’s options are also bolstered by what was an expensive two seasons of spending under Ange Postecoglou.
The Australian’s arrival prompted well over £200m worth of signings in the 2023/24 season, a spree which involved the purchasing of players such as Brennan Johnson and James Maddison – a summer admittedly offset by the sale of Harry Kane to Bayern Munich.
And the following summer saw the arrival of Dominic Solanke, who was signed from Bournemouth in a deal worth around £65m.
It is fair to say that Frank will enjoy the fruits of some significant spending in North London, despite his task being to revive his team from a dismal Premier League campaign last season.
In fact, according to a list released by transfermarkt (22 July), Spurs have the third most expensive front three in the Premier League.
The list names Kudus, Solanke and Johnson as the three for the Lilywhites, amassing a collective expenditure of £158m.
Manchester United’s £70m signing of Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford, combined with the arrivals of Matheus Cunha and Rasmus Hojlund, places them first in the list with the fee of £196m.
Manchester City rank third with a £169m front three, while Premier League champions Liverpool rank down in sixth, with their three costing £119m – although that is yet to include the signing of Hugo Ekitike.
Frank under pressure
Frank will already be under pressure from the Tottenham hierarchy for a fast start to the Premier League season.
His appointment was made with a charge back towards European qualification in mind, and the Dane will hope his side hit the ground running.
But the huge cost of the Spurs team will only work to further intensify that pressure, with Frank unable to have any complaints about the backing he has received.
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