Liverpool set for stunning raid on Premier League rival in major summer transfer push

“Everybody knows what he brings to the team, he’s got blistering pace, which means he can recover and make these last-ditch challenges, and that can be so important.

“That’s why there’s a lot of interest in him; there’s been talk about Liverpool and others, so he could be tempted to move on.

“From Tottenham’s point of view, with De Zerbi coming in, there will be some hope that they can convince him to stay.

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“The new manager wants to build around him; he wants him to be part of his team and the project he’s putting in place.

“He can work with him to iron out some of the issues in his game, if he can contain that pace for the right moments and not go marauding up the pitch, for example.

“He will hope to have the chance to do that, so that means blocking any possible exit for now, and trying to convince him that staying could still be an option.

“It may be difficult, and we’ll see where it goes, but from a Spurs point of view, they are going to be very reluctant to lose him.”

Leaving Spurs’ hands tied, any incoming bid will require an astronomical package to force a sale.