Victor Wanyama flies to London
What you need to know:
- Moving to Spurs will see the Kenya captain reunite with his former coach Mauricio Pocchettino, who currently manages Spurs first team.
- The deal is understood to be in the region of Sh2 billion, with Southampton banking almost 80 per cent of these proceeds.
Victor Wanyama’s Sh2 billion move from Southampton to London-based Tottenham Hotspur could be sealed in the next couple of hours.
Wanyama flew out of Nairobi for London on Sunday morning alongside his former manager Ivan Modia to finalise the switch, pending a medical examination.
Moving to Spurs will see the Kenya captain reunite with his former coach Mauricio Pocchettino, who currently manages Spurs first team.
The deal is understood to be in the region of Sh2 billion, with Southampton banking almost 80 percent of these proceeds.
The remaining amount will be paid to both his agents and former club Celtic that inserted a “sell on clause” in his contract to receive a percentage of any future transfer.
The impending rigorous medical examination on Monday is considered a formality for the eventual transfer as Wanyama has been playing in England for the past two seasons.
Personal terms have also been agreed between Wanyama and Tottenham on a four-year deal, following weeks of negotiations involving his long time agent, Rob Moore who heads Barcelona-based agency ExtraTime.
It is understood, according to close family members who spoke to Daily Nation Sport, that the Harambee Stars captain expects to double his monthly take home pay to about Sh20 million. However, the player declined to speak on this matter when contacted on Sunday evening.
Football Kenya Federation president Nick Mwendwa and former Harambee Stars coach Bobby Williamson described Wanyama’s move to Tottenham as “fantastic”.
BE MORE AMBITIOUS
“It shows progression. Most importantly, it will help our players aim higher and be more ambitious,” Mwendwa said.
Williamson, added: “This is a move to a bigger club and the lad has earned it. He is a mature player who has got what it takes to flourish. He’s lived in Glasgow before moving to England so London so shouldn’t be a problem to him,”
Wanyama had also attracted interest from EPL champions Leicester but the player has decided to repay the faith of Pochettino, who offered him the first opportunity in English football while in charge of Southampton.
The defensive midfielder whose value has rapidly increased over the past three years rejected an improved offer to remain at Southampton, forcing the club to cash in on him or risk losing him for nothing when his deal formally expires next June.
Tottenham will compete in the 2016/2017 Uefa Champions League competition, offering Wanyama another chance to play in this prestigious club tournament.
