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Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal set for lean summer transfer window unless leading players are sold

Willian of Chelsea FC during the FA Cup Fifth Round match between Chelsea FC and Liverpool FC - GETTY IMAGES
Willian of Chelsea FC during the FA Cup Fifth Round match between Chelsea FC and Liverpool FC - GETTY IMAGES

North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal are both planning for a summer in which they will not be able to spend any money, as they compete over the free transfer signing of Chelsea winger Willian.

The financial impact of the suspension of football and its planned return behind closed doors will be felt by the majority of Premier League clubs.

But while Manchester United and Chelsea will still have money to spend and Manchester City could sell John Stones and Leroy Sane to help fund moves for a new defender and forward while balancing the books, Spurs and Arsenal are currently working to the scenario in which they will only be able to sign players on free transfers, loans or by finding swap deals.

The only room for manoeuvre for both clubs may be if they can raise significant funds either through Tottenham accepting a big bid for Harry Kane, or Arsenal cashing in on either Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang or Alexandre Lacazette.

But while the Gunners may be forced to sell Aubameyang if he does not extend his contract and have been linked with a swap move involving Lacazette and Thomas Lemar, Spurs do not expect to receive a bid that would make them think about selling Kane in the next transfer window - even though he has admitted he may be forced to consider his future and Manchester United want a new striker.

Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal  - GETTY IMAGES
Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal - GETTY IMAGES

Tottenham are currently planning for the fact they will keep Kane, but have to look for free transfers, loans and swap deals to try to freshen up head coach Jose Mourinho’s squad which will present a significant challenge to the Potuguese.

Some room on the wage bill could be made by the departure of defender Jan Vertonghen at the end of his contract this summer, with Roma and Inter Milan among the interested clubs.

Spurs have already investigated the possibility of signing right-back Thomas Meunier on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain and Mourinho would like to sign Willian, who he has maintained a close relationship with since their days together at Chelsea.

But Arsenal have close links to Willian’s representative Kia Joorabchian, who also looks after the Brazilian’s close friend and former team-mate David Luiz. The 31-year-old wants a three-year contract and Chelsea have so far refused to budge from their offer of a two-year extension.

Football Nerd REFERRAL (Article)
Football Nerd REFERRAL (Article)

Swap deals will be even harder to find with chairman Daniel Levy not prepared to allow record signing Tanguy Ndombele to leave Spurs after just one season at the club.

Last season’s Champions League finalists Tottenham were in eighth place in the Premier League table when football was suspended, with Arsenal one place further back in ninth.

The fact neither club expects to have transfer funds available without making significant sales will increase the fears of both sets of rival clubs that they will fall further behind leaders Liverpool, City, Chelsea and United.

Chelsea hope to raise more money through the sales of players, while Liverpool are considering a move for Red Bull Leipzig forward Timo Werner.