Tottenham’s summer transfer window has already been uncharacteristically busy with the arrivals of Jack Clarke and Tanguy Ndombele.
It’s long been expected that there would be a handful of high-profile departures too, but Fernando Llorente and Michel Vorm are the only first team players who definitely won’t be in north London next season after their contracts expired.
While bids are yet to materialise for Toby Alderweireld or Christian Eriksen as they enter their final years on their contracts, a decision has reportedly been taken to allow Danny Rose to leave.
The 29-year-old took a long time to rediscover the form that predated the serious knee injury sustained in January 2017, which kept him out of action for 10 months.
However, last season he made 37 appearances in all competitions and began to reassert himself as Mauricio Pochettino’s first choice left-back.
The Lilywhites are open to offers primarily because they want to freshen up a squad that has only just received its first new face - record signing Ndombele - in 18 months.
Ben Davies has signed a contract extension - as has Harry Winks - which means Pochettino will not be without cover on the left, especially given Jan Vertonghen’s versatility.
Whether the England international leaves is partly down to the player himself. The Leeds-born defender has spoken previously about his desire to return to the north of England.
In his infamous interview with The Sun in 2017, he also insisted he is keen to earn more and seek silverware as he approaches the latter stages of his career.
That interview initially tarnished his standing among the supporters, which he had fought so hard to build over a decade.
As a youngster, Rose was immediately elevated into Tottenham folklore thanks to his 30-yard strike on his debut against Arsenal.
Now, 12 years on, Spurs could move their longest-serving player on. There are younger alternatives on the market, namely Ryan Sessegnon if they can compromise over Fulham’s valuation.
Part of Sessegnon’s appeal is that he is also effective as a wing-back, but the same can be said of Rose.
Not only is he currently Tottenham’s fastest left-back, as the player who has been in the senior set-up for the longest period, he carries particular significance. That means something at any club, but especially one who has just moved into a new stadium, battling to balance its promising future with retaining its heritage.
Barring a bid from the kind of clubs who were looking at him in 2017, such as Manchester United, Rose is unlikely to actively pursue a move.
At any rate, Spurs would not be replacing him with an international with 27 caps, as Daniel Levy will not throw money at a position which cannot be seen as a matter of urgency.
Losing Rose at this stage would be to deplete their squad, just when it was looking seriously competitive.
