Tottenham delay Mikey Moore loan exit after fresh injury blow

Tottenham Hotspur are holding up Mikey Moore’s proposed loan move to 1. FC Köln, despite the teenager already deciding he wants to join the Bundesliga club.

An agreement is in place for Moore to spend the season in Germany without a purchase option, but Spurs have still not provided final clearance.

James Maddison’s latest injury setback is now reportedly behind the delay.

Köln have been working on a deal for Moore for several weeks and remain confident they will eventually secure the 19-year-old.

The winger has chosen the German club as his preferred destination, but Tottenham have been reluctant to release him until Roberto De Zerbi has enough attacking depth.

That situation appeared to have changed when Spurs completed the £75m plus £10m signing of Savinho from Manchester City, with Omar Marmoush also expected to arrive.

Savinho’s arrival was thought to be enough for Tottenham to approve Moore’s loan.

That clearance has still not arrived.

The complication is James Maddison’s shoulder injury.

Maddison suffered the problem after replacing Moore during Tottenham’s 3-0 Premier League defeat at Brentford. De Zerbi has since confirmed the midfielder sustained a minor shoulder injury.

According to Geissblog, that setback means Tottenham are reluctant to release Moore immediately.

The teenager could now be required for the EFL Cup clash against Charlton Athletic, further delaying his departure.

It is another frustrating development for Köln, who had hoped Savinho’s arrival would finally unlock the deal.

Moore featured regularly during Tottenham’s pre-season and was handed a start against Brentford, although De Zerbi was critical of aspects of his performance.

“We made a lot of mistakes in the timing of the pressing with Mikey Moore in the left centre,” De Zerbi said. “We arrived too many times late.”

Those comments had increased Köln’s belief that Moore would eventually become available.

De Zerbi’s position, however, has consistently been that Tottenham need sufficient replacements before allowing the England youth international to leave.

Moore could remain with Tottenham for the EFL Cup meeting with Charlton before his situation is reassessed.

Köln are continuing to wait for Spurs’ approval and still expect the loan to go through. Much will depend on Maddison’s fitness and whether Tottenham are comfortable with their attacking depth following Savinho’s arrival and the potential addition of Marmoush.