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Tottenham Hotspur 'reignite interest in former academy starlet'

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 28 March 2024

Spurs 'reignite interest in former academy starlet'

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly preparing to reignite their previous interest in re-signing former academy player Marcus Edwards from Sporting Lisbon.

Tottenham Hotspur allegedly hold an interest in securing a reunion with Sporting Lisbon winger Marcus Edwards.

The North Londoners have been a team transformed in the final third under Ange Postecoglou, playing the kind of attractive football that continues to win new admirers.

James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, Timo Werner, Brennan Johnson, Son Heung-min and Richarlison have all made an impact during the course of the season.

However, despite the relative success this campaign, Spurs have been competing without European football on their schedule, something that will almost certainly change for 2024-25.

That will naturally lead to Postecoglou wanting to strengthen the depth of his squad, even though there is a desire from the powers-that-be to ease academy prospects into the first-team fold.

Tottenham Hotspur boss Ange Postecoglou pictured on March 16, 2024 © Reuters

In the past, there were high hopes that Edwards would make such a transition, yet the playmaker was limited to just one senior outing before an exit from the club after several loans elsewhere.

According to A Bola, Spurs are contemplating whether they should attempt to hand Edwards a chance to return to England's capital next season.

Now 25 years of age, Edwards has developed into one of the best players in Portugal, contributing 31 goals and 29 assists from 143 appearances in Primeira Liga.

Specifically with Sporting, the former England Under-20 international has recorded 21 strikes and 25 assists from 104 outings in all competitions, and he currently features in a team that sit at the top of the domestic standings.

Sporting Lisbon's Marcus Edwards celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on November 30, 2023 © Reuters

The report suggests that any interested club will need to pay in excess of £17m to sign Edwards, who has a contract with Sporting until 2026.

Crystal Palace are also said to hold an interest in Edwards, yet the pull of returning to Spurs may prove too tempting for the attacker to turn down should an offer materialise.

An added benefit for Spurs

Spurs are currently not blessed with homegrown options in their first-team squad, with Oliver Skipp the only senior player who would fulfil such criteria as it stands.

Other fringe players would come into the fold, such as backup goalkeeper Alfie Whiteman and young forward Dane Scarlett, but acquiring a player such as Edwards, who can compete for a starting role, would benefit Postecoglou.

Edwards spent a total of 13 years contracted to Spurs before his departure in 2019, first joining the club at the age of eight.