Contract Clock Ticking on Midfield Maestro
Tottenham Hotspur are preparing to open contract negotiations with Rodrigo Bentancur as the midfielder nears the final 12 months of his current deal. According to TBR Football, Spurs remain intent on keeping the Uruguayan despite “significant” interest from Serie A clubs.
Bentancur’s existing contract runs until summer 2025, and after 32 appearances this season under Ange Postecoglou, his influence in midfield has become undeniable. Signed from Juventus for £16m in 2022, alongside Dejan Kulusevski, he has gradually evolved into a key figure both on and off the pitch.
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Postecoglou’s vision of high-intensity, possession-based football has found a reliable engine in Bentancur. With a squad poised for a summer overhaul, losing such a figure would be a major setback.
Talks Loom as Paratici Shadow Reappears
“Graeme Bailey – TBR Football chief correspondent, understands that Spurs are ready to start talks with Bentancur over a new deal.”
It’s a welcome sign of stability for a club where change is never far away. However, the plot thickens with reports linking Fabio Paratici – Tottenham’s former managing director – to a potential role at AC Milan. Should he assume control, TBR suggests he “could look to take the Tottenham man to AC Milan.”
Having “snubbed a return to Tottenham”, Paratici could now prove an irritant in negotiations as he looks to build a new Milan core – possibly with Bentancur at its heart.
Leadership Emerges as Spurs Eye Stability
Behind the scenes, Bentancur is also stepping up. “Tottenham staff have been impressed by Bentancur’s leadership,” and at 27, he’s entering the prime years of his career. A new deal would signal Tottenham’s intent to build around mature, reliable figures in a transitional era.
Meanwhile, the club is also seeking to extend Cristian Romero’s contract, another sign of a long-term core being identified.
Serie A Interest Adds Intrigue
With nine major honours to his name at Boca Juniors and Juventus, Bentancur’s pedigree is established – though as TBR note, “a tally he’s yet to add to in N17.” It’s easy to see why Serie A clubs are circling. Spurs must now weigh loyalty, timing and ambition to secure a deal.
Our View – EPL Index Analysis
This report from TBR Football will be music to the ears of Spurs supporters who’ve watched Bentancur blossom into one of the Premier League’s most composed midfielders. There’s a sense that, in a side still finding its balance under Ange Postecoglou, the Uruguayan’s calming presence is irreplaceable.
Fans should be encouraged by the news that “both Tottenham and Bentancur are happy with each other and plan to assess the situation during talks.” That said, many will also feel wary of AC Milan’s looming presence, especially with Fabio Paratici potentially pulling strings behind the scenes. Losing a player of Bentancur’s influence now would represent a major blow – not only tactically, but psychologically.
Supporters also know what tends to follow ‘significant interest’ – particularly when a player has just a year left. The hope is that Spurs can convince him of their upward trajectory. Talks must be swift and convincing.
If Postecoglou is to build a Spurs side capable of challenging consistently, Bentancur is precisely the kind of player to form a foundation around. Tie him down early, and others may just follow.