Tottenham’s Roberto Soldado on verge of joining Villarreal on permanent deal

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Roberto Soldado is on the verge of a permanent move to Villarreal, with the Tottenham Hotspur striker having flown to his native Spain on Thursday morning to finalise the transfer.

The 30-year-old arrived from Valencia in August 2013 in what was a £26m deal, although Tottenham claim they only paid about £16m, with the rest to follow in add-ons, which Soldado did not fulfil.

Soldado has endured a difficult two seasons at White Hart Lane, in which he has scored only seven Premier League goals – four of them from the penalty spot. Tottenham’s outgoing sporting director, Franco Baldini, has been negotiating the sale to Villarreal and the club are happy they will cut their losses with a decent fee for him.

Erik Lamela, the Tottenham winger, tweeted his best wishes to Soldado, although he subsequently deleted the message. “I enjoyed these two years that we share,” Lamela wrote. “I wish you well in your new club. Good luck friend.”

Mauricio Pochettino, the Tottenham manager, was more circumspect, although he did confirm Soldado had been allowed to travel to Spain. “It is true that the club gave permission for Roberto to go to Spain,” Pochettino said. “The club will announce after that if something happens or not.”

Tottenham badly need reinforcements up front. Pochettino has said Emmanuel Adebayor has no future at the club – he is currently training with the development squad – and, at present, Harry Kane is the only recognised, established striker.

Pochettino, though, is close to completing the £10m signing of Clinton N’Jie from Lyon. The 21-year-old Cameroon international can play up front or on the wing, and he is best known for his electric pace.