Tottenham Hotspur have been dealt a setback in their bid to bring Daichi Kamada to the Premier League in the January transfer window.
What's the talk?
Speaking in a recent interview with German publication Sport1, the attacking midfielder revealed that, despite the reported interest of Tottenham Hotspur and a host of other European clubs, he will not be leaving Eintracht Frankfurt this winter.
However, the 26-year-old did go on to suggest that he and his representatives will be in talks with interested parties regarding the possibility of a free transfer at the end of the current campaign - when his contract with Eintracht ends - in January.
Regarding his future, the Japan international said: "I'm staying in Frankfurt this season. Even if there could be talks with other clubs in winter, I'm not interested in leaving immediately. I've already decided that I want to finish the season with this coach and this team.
"I am much more demanding than you think when it comes to the clubs I would like to switch to. There have been talks and contacts with big clubs for two years."
The playmaker went on to claim that he is also in discussions with the Bundesliga side concerning the possibility of signing a new deal with the club, stating: "Of course, we are in talks about extending the contract. After my performance, that's not a big surprise either."
Paratici must move
While Kamada's claim that he will not be leaving Germany this winter will undoubtedly come as a blow to both Antonio Conte and Fabio Paratici, the 26-year-old's decision nevertheless brings with it a significant financial silver lining.
Indeed, with the Japanese sensation's current deal at Deutsche Bank Park coming to an end in the summer of 2023, should the forward-thinking midfielder fail to put pen to paper on an extension with Eintracht prior to January, Kamada will be free to discuss pre-contract terms with a new suitor upon the turn of the year, before moving on a free at the end of the season.
And, considering just how impressive the 21-cap international has been in Germany so far this season, should Paratici go on to land the playmaker on a free next summer, it would undoubtedly represent a massive coup for the sporting director.
Indeed, over his 13 Bundesliga appearances this season, the £26.5m-rated talent has been in astonishing attacking form, having already bagged seven goals, registered three assists and created two big chances for his teammates, in addition to taking an average of 1.5 shots - 0.8 of which have hit the target - making one key pass and completing 0.5 dribbles per game.
These returns have seen the player who MUNDIAL claimed has been "tearing it up" average an extremely impressive SofaScore match rating of 7.14, not only ranking him as Oliver Glasner's best-performer in the league but also as the 32nd-best player in the German top flight as a whole this term.
The £33k-per-week wizard has also caught the eye for all the right reasons over his six Champions League fixtures in 2022/23, scoring three goals - one of which came against Spurs - and creating one big chance for his teammates, while also averaging a simply sensational SofaScore match rating of 7.18 in Europe's most prestigious club competition.
As such, it is clear to see that Kamada - who was once dubbed "the liberator of Arsenal" for scoring a brace in a 2-1 Europa League win over the Gunners that ultimately led to Unai Emery's dismissal - would make an exceptional addition to Conte's attacking arsenal - leading us to believe that Paratici must do everything he can to land the midfielder, especially on a free transfer.