Sky Sports, The Athletic detail why Tottenham whiffed on their pursuit of Adama Traoré

Tottenham Hotspur is reportedly set to miss out on a transfer target, a story that’s all too familiar to supporters as Adama Traoré is reportedly on his way back to Spain as he’ll join FC Barcelona.

According to The Athletic, Traoré is heading to the Spanish club to undergo his medical and join the Spanish club loan deal with an option to buy the 26-year-old for around €35 million.

Sky Sports reporter Kaveh Solhekol provided some details as to went on behind the scenes and why the potential move to north London fell by the wayside. 

“Spurs have been trying to buy Traore and put in a £15m bid, which was not enough. There was some expectation that a deal could be done for about £20m, but Barcelona have come in for the player, who used to play for the Barcelona Academy,” Solhekol said on “The Transfer Show.”

“And when a club like Barcelona come in for you, it is very difficult to say no, and that is why he has decided to go back to Barcelona. And I really do not think there was much Spurs could have done about this.”

Furthermore, The Athletic adds that talks between Spurs and Wolves had been moving in the right direction, but the Spain international was unsure about the idea of manager Antonio Conte converting him to a wing-back.

With only a few days left in the January transfer window, Spurs is back to the drawing board as they cross off Traoré off their list.