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Tottenham must snub interest from Bundesliga giants

By Rucker Haringey

MOSCOW, RUSSIA - SEPTEMBER 27: Reo Griffiths of Tottenham Hotspur FC heads the ball under pressure from Mutalip Alibekov of PFC CSKA Moskva during the UEFA Champions League Youth match between PFC CSKA Moskva and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Oktyabr Stadium on September 27, 2016 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - SEPTEMBER 27: Reo Griffiths of Tottenham Hotspur FC heads the ball under pressure from Mutalip Alibekov of PFC CSKA Moskva during the UEFA Champions League Youth match between PFC CSKA Moskva and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Oktyabr Stadium on September 27, 2016 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images) /
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Tottenham must keep hold of Reo Griffiths

Harry Kane is arguably the best striker in all of Europe, but Tottenham are still short of cover behind their prolific talisman. That’s precisely why Spurs need to make sure RB Leipzig are unable to steal Reo Griffiths away this summer.

Reports from England claim that Leipzig are keen to continue the recent trend of German clubs swooping in for young, English talent. It’s a troubling revelation for Spurs considering the amount of money Leipzig are willing to spend on transfers. If the Bundesliga club really decide they covet Griffiths, it’s quite possible they’ll bid somewhere in excess of £20 million for his services.

If you’re wondering why Leipzig have focused in on Griffiths, there’s a very simple explanation. Former Tottenham head of recruitment Paul Mitchell has recently assumed the same position for the German club. It’s only logical to assume he’ll try to pick off some of Spurs’ bright academy stars.

Keeping young English talent in the fold is always important for Tottenham, but Griffiths’ position makes this an even more important battle than normal. It’s no secret that Spurs have struggled to purchase adequate striking cover for Harry Kane. Vincent Janssen was banished to Turkey on loan after failing to hold down the spot behind Kane. Currently, Fernando Llorente is failing miserably in his own bid to become Mauricio Pochettino’s backup number nine.

At some point, Tottenham officials are going to hand some chances to the club’s Academy players to get the job done. Most of the chatter about internal options to date has centred around Kaziah Sterling. He’s more physically mature than Griffiths, but there’s real skepticism over whether or not he has the talent to be a Premier League regular. It’s far more likely that Sterling will be sold to a Championship club this summer than forcing his way into Pochettino’s first team.

If Sterling were to depart, Griffiths would become the most accomplished striker in Tottenham’s young pipeline. Next season might be a year or two too early to count on him for a meaningful role in the first team, but he has star potential. In three or four seasons Spurs could be struggling to provide Griffiths enough meaningful playing time to keep him happy.

Next: Tottenham won't sell Alderweireld to English club

There’s no guarantee that Reo Griffiths is ever going to become a first team regular at Tottenham or any other Premier League club. Spurs have to make sure he is given every opportunity to make his mark though. Letting a top-end young striker like Griffiths leave before he’s reached his full potential could be a disastrous transfer decision.

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