Official: Davinson Sanchez is Tottenham Hotspur’s first signing of the summer

This is not a drill! It’s actually, finally happening. After a long summer of waiting, Tottenham Hotspur have dipped into the transfer market for the first time.

Spurs have officially announced the signing of central defender Davinson Sanchez from AFC Ajax. The initial fee is reported to be £28 million, and could rise by as much as £14 million with incentives and bonuses.

The 21-year-old Colombian international was the Dutch club’s Player of the Year last season, and was a big part of their run to the Europa League final. At 6’2 he has the size to compete physically in the Premier League, but he’s also comfortable with the ball at his feet. Peter Bosz’s team at Ajax last season played a high-pressing possession-based system that is similar to Mauricio Pochettino’s, and Sanchez thrived in it.

He joins Spurs despite reported interest from Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Chelsea. It’s very possible that he has seen the great success that former Ajax CB’s Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld have had at Tottenham. He knows this path has already been paved.

This transfer will likely open the door for Kevin Wimmer to leave the club. He is being strongly linked recently with a move to Tony Pulis and West Brom.

Spurs play Chelsea this Sunday in their first match at Wembley, but it’s unclear whether Sanchez will be available. By then he’ll have only had limited time on the training pitch with Poch and the squad. Despite what might have been claimed by Ajax in his final days in Holland; he’s healthy, so a bench appearance isn’t out of the question.

Sanchez’ price is quite significant. The deal will eventually rise to a club-record fee, but that just shows how highly Poch and Daniel Levy think of the Colombian.

If the success of Spurs’ other purchases from Ajax is any hint, than Davinson Sanchez will do quite well in North London.