Tottenham transfer chief blames new UEFA format for club's slow transfer window - and claims Spurs 'were ready' to make signings on January 1st
Tottenham transfer chief blames new UEFA format for club's slow transfer window - and claims Spurs 'were ready' to make signings on January 1st
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Tottenham director Johan Lange has blamed the new UEFA tournament format for the club's slow transfer dealings last month. During the January window, the north London side made three signings in the form of Antonin Kinsky, Kevin Danso and Mathys Tel - who joined the club on deadline day. Along with Tel's last-minute move, Spurs also sealed their loan (with an option to buy) for defender Danso in the final days of the transfer window.
![[Mathys Tel joined Spurs on deadline day after rejecting them just a few days earlier]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/02/05/00/94840263-14361331-Tel_joined_Spurs_on_deadline_day_after_rejecting_them_just_a_few-a-81_1738714158960.jpg)
Given the current injury crisis at the club, many Spurs fans had hoped the club would have sorted their transfer business earlier in the window. That was not the case. Explaining the situation on SpursPlay, Lange said: 'We, as a club, would have liked to have done all the signings on January 1st. We were ready to do that. But, it's not as easy as that. 'This January, in particular, the dynamic changed a little bit. We're not the only team who has injuries. And, there's the dynamic of the new European format.
![[Tottenham signed Antonin Kinsky early in the window but had to wait for more additions]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/02/05/00/94868979-14361331-image-a-82_1738714237932.jpg)
Johan Lange opened up on some of the difficulties which Spurs faced in the transfer window. Mathys Tel joined Spurs on deadline day after rejecting them just a few days earlier. 'Meaning that the clubs competing in Europe have had to play group matches in January, which is never the case. 'Normally, clubs would know their fate in those competitions by December. But the fact is that there are now two group games in the last part of January, as well as more teams going through the group stage into the play-off stages.
'And those things mean clubs are more reluctant. And it's about finding the right players - not just the first players available'. Spurs made the signing of goalkeeper Kinsky from Slavia Prague in the opening week of the window but fans had to wait a while longer before their other two acquisitions. The club looked as though they were going to miss out on Bayern Munich forward Mathys Tel - after he initially rejected a move to north London.
However, after a discussion with head coach Ange Postecoglou, the French youngster quickly changed his mind and agreed to the move. The loan deal comes with an option to buy for Spurs, however the player will have the final say as to whether the move becomes permanent. Tottenham signed Antonin Kinsky early in the window but had to wait for more additions. Tel also revealed the key role Harry Kane played in convincing him to join Tottenham on deadline day.
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