Christian Eriksen says he wished real life was more like a game of Football Manager when it came to making decisions on his future at Tottenham. The Denmark international has reportedly been angling for a move away from Spurs since the start of the summer transfer window but failed to get his wish and will now remain in north London until at least January.
The 27-year-old will fall out of contract at the end of the season and could sign a pre-contract agreement with a non-Premier League club as early as January 1. Tottenham are desperate not to lose the playmaker, who netted his first of the season against Arsenal on Sunday and are understood to have offered him fresh terms which would make him the joint-highest earner at the club, alongside Harry Kane.
Related: Will Southgate Wield The Axe?
However, several reports claim Eriksen has his heart set on leaving north London with a move to either Real Madrid or Barcelona his preferred options. Eriksen has attracted other suitors as well with Manchester United recently linked with a fresh approach in January having tried and failed to land him in the summer.
Paris Saint-Germain are also thought to be interested and it looks unlikely Tottenham can hang on to a player who has been key to their recent success beyond the end of this season.
Eriksen has now revealed that he wanted to cut ties this summer, rather than see out his deal, but admits transfers are never as easy as they are made out in computer games, such as Football Manager. “I wish I could decide just like in Football Manager, but unfortunately I can’t,” Eriksen told Danish publication Ekstra Bladet.
Eriksen went on to say that he has not found it difficult to “clear his head” and put thoughts of a move to one side to concentrate on matters on the pitch. “I know a lot of people are interested in where I want to play. That’s the way it is. This is how it is in a top club if you have done well. There will always be rumours,” he added.
Eriksen has been a massive success for Tottenham since his arrival from Ajax in 2013 and no Lilywhites player has registered more assists, created more chances or scored from outside the box more than the Dane.
Statically, Tottenham are a much-improved side when Eriksen is on the field, hence the surprise when Pochettino left him on the bench for their first two home league games.
Tanguy Ndombele and Giovani Lo Celso were added to the Spurs squad this summer to improve their options in midfield but Eriksen’s rare creative talents make him an asset the club can’t afford to lose. Pochettino is said to be unhappy at Tottenham’s inability to get Eriksen tied to a new deal but dismissed speculation he is willing to quit over the matter ahead of the north London derby.
