The apparently imminent arrival of Brazilian attacker Willian into White Hart Lane will help soften the blow as Spurs fans can now officially begin referring to “Bale years” around the North London club.
When reports gained strength through the day Wednesday that Willian (pictured) would indeed soon arrive into a Spurs shirt, the writing seemed on the wall that Gareth Bale’s departure was done, or soon would be.
Details will emerge soon enough on Bale’s final transfer price, but rest assured its a princely sum, one that Andre Villas-Boas and Co. are quickly putting to good use in late summer shopping.
No one can deny that Bale’s loss strips away some talent at Andre Villas-Boas’ disposal. Then again, Spurs lineup hardly looks substantially diminished thanks to Willian, the man making his escape from remodeling Russian Premier League club Anzhi Makhachkala. That’s even more true with the finishing pen strokes are apparently now being applied to a deal for Argentinian forward Lamela.)
(MORE: Willian a different kind of player than Bale)
Both of Spurs’ apparent new arrivals operate out of attacking spots – thus, all conclusions that they would be filling the Bale void don’t seem like such a leap.
As Liverpool had also shown serious interest in Willian, this solidifies Spurs’ advantage over the crew from Anfield Road as a primary Top Four contender. Yes, even without last year’s PFA Players’ Player of the Year in the Premier League, Bale.
It’s all surely a little dizzying at the moment for Spurs fans; there’s a lot to digest here. Then again, it’s must be nice to see their club do exactly what bitter rival Arsenal and Arsene Wenger have repeatedly failed to in the last few years: replace the outgoing talent with something that, even if not 100 percent commensurate, at least gets close.
(MORE: NBC Premier League Insider says Bale-to-Madrid deal is done)
