1 Summer Transfer Rumour Tottenham Fans Do Not Want to Come True

The summer may have something else planned, but Tottenham Hotspur fans will hope indications Harry Kane and Hugo Lloris are set to stay prove accurate. The Telegraph's Matt Law and the Daily Star's Alex Wood were among those earlier this month to report Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy would not consider selling either.

The north Londoners' talented young striker and world-class goalkeeper are vital to the development of Mauricio Pochettino's team. Letting them go to a Premier League competitor like Manchester United would be counterproductive, no matter the money received in return.

Mousa Dembele is not coming off the same kind of eye-catching year. It may be the case a departure is best for both him and his current employers. But the rumours suggesting two of Spurs' rivals could be poised to bid for the Belgium international should definitely be regarded by the White Hart Lane faithful as something they do not want coming to fruition.

Following a report in the Sun—here via the Telegraph—that Chelsea are interested in signing Dembele as a replacement for John Obi Mikel, the Independent's James Orr (see above) is among those suggesting another London club in West Ham United also want to sign him.

Dembele's status at Spurs is as individually convoluted as the goalkeeper merry-go-round Lloris would supposedly be dragged into if David de Gea leaves Man United for Real Madrid (see the first-mentioned Telegraph story).

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Three seasons into his Spurs stay, Dembele—who turns 28 in July—has grown somewhat stagnant. He featured in 38 games in 2014-15, but he only started 10 Premier League fixtures.

Though regularly called upon as a substitute and cover, his effective demotion behind Pochettino's preferred centre-midfield pair, academy-tutored Nabil Bentaleb and Ryan Mason, has led to questions over his future. The club needs to make room if they want to bring in further new signings too (Dele Alli has already been added to their midfield options)

From scoring on his debut against Norwich City, through his superb last minute-winner away at Olympique Lyonnais, and right up to reliable, sturdy displays in wins over Chelsea and Arsenal this past season, Dembele has been a creditable performer since arriving from Fulham. 

Initially playing in the more advanced role most knew him for with the Cottagers, circumstances dictated him taking on more defensive duties over time. This has understandably tempered some of his more attacking instincts.

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Dynamically blending flair and strength, subtlety and directness, he has enviable natural ability that can be deployed almost anywhere in a line-up. But regardless of the freedom granted Dembele on the pitch or not, the feeling has persisted he has an extra level or two he is just not reaching.

A big reason he has fallen behind Mason in the pecking order is the greater comparative urgency in the Englishman's attempts to impact matches. Bentaleb is not necessarily asserting himself as much as would be liked either, but at just 20 years old, there is ample hope that he will develop with time.

Dembele may still have a future with his current employers, but there is an argument his career could do with a fresh start.

Tottenham know they can get a decent sum for a talented, albeit flawed international player. While they would probably rather keep him on as an option for Pochettino to call on, there is sense to a sale.

But selling him to either Chelsea or West Ham? Spurs could soon end up taking enviable glances at the toy they threw away, now being enjoyed so much by someone else.

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This is not Toy Story 3. Tottenham's Andy is not going to be glad to see Chelsea or West Ham's Bonnie giving a new lease of life to something they have passed on (the metaphor falls apart slightly given Dembele's comparatively short time with his "owner" compared to Woody, not to mention Andy was understandably swapping toys for freedom and girls at college).

Jose Mourinho turning Dembele from a Tottenham bit-part player to a highly valued contributor in a title and Champions League-challenging team would be a tough enough watch.

Perhaps even more galling, though, would be seeing him thrive in a Hammers outfit potentially not far off competing with their hated capital neighbours for European places. They were commendably still in contention up until February this past season when Kane's stoppage-time equaliser denied them a momentum-boosting big win at White Hart Lane.

There are no guarantees Dembele will considerably improve with a move elsewhere in London. Spurs could probably end up getting even more than the £12 million he is reportedly valued at. If these two clubs are the only ones in for him, though, it would be hard to begrudge him a transfer if he wants it.

Kirsty Wigglesworth/Associated Press

Given he is not currently a key player like Kane or Lloris, Dembele could argue keeping him around when he could be playing elsewhere is unfair.

He would have a point. But selfish and unpalatable as it may be to hold someone back, Spurs will understandably look out for their own interests too.

Any transfer within the same division comes with the risk you are giving another team a potential weapon to use against you. It would be an undoubtedly more chastening experience if that team is a rival you are ambitiously attempting to compete with in the near future. Or another you want to remain inferior and well out of your business.

Dembele and Spurs may stay together. If they decide to part ways, perhaps there will be interest from a club more tolerable to sell to (the Belgian would surely thrive in a more measured football environment such as Italy or France).

Whatever happens, Tottenham would be smart not to risk finding out how Dembele would fare at Chelsea or West Ham.

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