Saturday 11 October 2014 11:10, UK
Tottenham want DeAndre Yedlin to complete his move to the club in January, Sky sources understand.
Spurs announced in August that Yedlin had signed a four-year deal following an agreement with Seattle Sounders to transfer the right-back next summer for a fee believed to be £2.5m.
Tottenham had always intended to bring the USA international to the club immediately, but he was unable to secure a work permit in the summer having not played enough full international matches for his country.
However Yedlin, 21, has Latvian heritage and has been pursuing a passport from the country in the hope of speeding up his relocation to north London and, should he do so, Sky sources understand there would not be any opposition from his current club.
“I’m working on getting a Latvian passport. If that goes through then January is definitely very possible,” Yedlin said.
“The passport is a big deciding factor. I always knew I had that sort of background but I never really paid attention to it, but it’s become useful now and I’m going to take advantage of it.”
I’m an attacking full-back and I felt when I signed that England fit my playing style better
Contrary to reports, Yedlin’s move to Tottenham is not being actively pushed forward due to Spurs’ current injury problems at right-back, with Kyle Walker and Kyle Naughton both sidelined.
Yedlin would not be able to complete his move to Tottenham until the transfer window reopens on January 1 and both Walker and Naughton are expected to return to action some time before that date.
Yedlin is also still fully embroiled in the current MLS season, with Seattle having already qualified for the post-season play-offs, which could see him feature until December.
Yedlin is, however, looking forward to learning from the likes of England international Walker and other players at the club, as well as manager Mauricio Pochettino.
He said: “I’m an attacking full-back and I felt when I signed that England fit my playing style better, and Tottenham was a good situation for me.
“They have Kyle Walker and I’m excited to learn from him and learn from the other full-backs, and from coach Mauricio Pochettino, who’s great with young players.”
