'Big money' - King reacts as Tottenham submit bid to sign teenage striker

Bryan King is surprised by Mason Melia’s value amid transfer speculation linking him with Tottenham and the Premier League.

The ex-Spurs scout can’t believe the figures being quoted for a player who isn’t yet proven.

It comes after reptracker reported via X (15 October) that Tottenham have submitted a bid for St Pat’s 17-year-old Melia, who is valued by his club at £835,000, with a deal expected to be formalised in the coming months.

Five or six other Premier League teams are interested as the race heats up. However, Melia can’t leave St Pat’s until next September after he has turned 18.

And King – speaking exclusively to Tottenham News – doesn’t think any club would have to pay the £835,000 in one lump payment.

“These are the kind of figures being used all around,” King said.

“There are compensation fees and other things. However, offering that amount of money at this stage seems amazing for an unproven player.

“Therefore, I would have thought a substantially lower figure would have been realistic. That could then include add-ons for his achievements as he progresses with Spurs.

“It is big money for a player his age. However, will it be paid in one payment? Or will it be a payment which is spread over time in line with Melia’s progression with the football club?

“I think it is more likely to be the latter.”

Tottenham to sign St Pat’s teenager Mason Melia?

In the world of modern football, £835,000 is pocket change. However, paying even that kind of pocket change for a 17-year-old from Ireland who has no experience of English football seems risky.

With the amount of money being generated in North London, Daniel Levy would be unlikely to notice the £835,000 being gone if it were to be spent.

However, whether or not this signing is necessary is a different question altogether. Ange Postecoglou already has several young, talented players who are deserving of opportunities at the club.

Therefore, it could be argued that signing Melia would only block those players’ pathways. As a result, Spurs should think carefully about whether or not to move forward with this signing.

In other Tottenham news, Archie Gray has been backed to replace one player at the club as an exit claim emerges.

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