Christian Eriksen, Tottenham Hotspur Contract Talks Have Reportedly Stalled

Talks between Christian Eriksen and Tottenham Hotspur over a new contract have stalled, per Gary Jacob of The Times.

Jacob described the state of negotiations between the Lilywhites and the playmaker as being "at an impasse," with it deemed "unlikely that the midfielder will sign in the short term."

Eriksen, whose deal expires in the summer of 2020, is said to not only be deterred from signing fresh terms by the wages on offer. There are also concerns regarding "the manager's future, transfer budgets, winning silverware and qualifying for the Champions League next season."

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Eriksen joined Spurs from Ajax in 2013 and last inked a contract in 2016, signing on for four more years. However, Jacob also noted how several of Tottenham's other first-team stars, including goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, attacking midfielder Dele Alli and even Moussa Sissoko, earn more than Eriksen, who takes home £70,000 per week.

It's an unusual scenario given the Denmark international's importance to Mauricio Pochettino's team. The 26-year-old is the creative fulcrum who makes Spurs tick, even if his numbers this season don't adequately reflect his influence.

Eriksen has a goal and an assist in the UEFA Champions League to go with a pair of assists in Premier League action. That represents a slow start after Eriksen enjoyed a productive 2017/18 campaign:

In fairness to Eriksen, he has been dealing with a stomach injury that Denmark coach Age Hareide warned may be "chronic."

Even so, Eriksen's value to the way Spurs manufacture chances may give him a lot of leverage at the negotiating table, according to Jacob. He noted how La Liga giants Barcelona can be counted as one of the player's admirers.

Yet Tottenham may have more cards stacked in their favour than Jacob suggested. Pochettino can call on 22-year-old England international Harry Winks for creativity, while Alli's eye for a pass is also an obvious asset.

Eriksen may be concerned about Tottenham's ability to participate regularly in the UEFA Champions League, but Spurs are fourth in the Premier League, four points clear of north London rivals Arsenal in the final qualification spot.

Tottenham haven't got their new 62,000-plus-seater stadium built on time, but Eriksen has said Wembley Stadium "feels like our second home," per The Sun's Phil Cadden.

It's in Tottenham's interest to secure Eriksen's future, but the club doesn't need to be held to ransom given the other midfield talent in the squad, particularly if it maintains its recent habit of guaranteeing Champions League football.