Tottenham Hotspur have made contact with Benfica regarding a potential transfer for winger Andreas Schjelderup, according to reports. The 22-year-old Norwegian international is also attracting interest from Liverpool and Chelsea, but Spurs are currently considered frontrunners in the chase.
Schjelderup enjoyed a productive season with Benfica, registering 10 goals and seven assists in 43 appearances across all competitions. He also featured for Norway at the World Cup, providing three assists and scoring a memorable goal against England in the quarter-final, though his side ultimately lost to Jude Bellingham’s team. His performances have significantly increased his market value.
Initially, Benfica were reportedly seeking a fee of €40 million (£34m) for Schjelderup. However, his form for both club and country has led to a doubling of that asking price, with Benfica now quoting Tottenham €80 million (£68m) according to sources. This increase presents a significant challenge for Spurs as they navigate the transfer.
Roberto De Zerbi has identified Schjelderup as a key target to strengthen Tottenham’s options on the wings. While the Italian manager has also expressed interest in other wingers such as Rafael Leao, Cody Gakpo, and Savinho, Schjelderup is understood to be a preferred option. The pursuit of Gakpo has been complicated by Liverpool’s unwillingness to sell, shifting the focus towards Schjelderup and other alternatives.
Adding further complexity, Schjelderup has reportedly rejected a new contract offer from Benfica, signalling his desire for a move to the Premier League. Tottenham are also reportedly close to securing a £60 million deal for Savinho, a Brazilian winger currently at Manchester City, which could influence their approach to pursuing Schjelderup. The potential arrival of Savinho may allow Spurs to reassess their valuation of Schjelderup and potentially negotiate a lower fee.
