KING IN THE NORTH: Report has Rose heading to Newcastle on loan-to-buy

As of the time of this article posting, it is looking pretty definitive that Danny Rose will soon be leaving Tottenham Hotspur. Mirror reporter Graeme Bailey is reporting that Rose has agreed to head to Tyneside for a loan to Newcastle for the rest of the season. The deal reportedly contains a purchase option and is expected to become a permanent transfer this summer.

We’re also seeing this in other publications so it’s not just the Mirror that’s leaking it. It corroborates earlier reports that Toon were hoping to land Rose as a replacement for Jetro Willems, who went out with a season-ending knee injury a couple of weeks ago.

Danny Rose is the longest tenured player currently on Tottenham’s squad, and he’s also one of my favorite players from the past decade. He’s been a lightning rod for criticism over the past number of years, starting with his explosive interview in the Sun a couple of seasons ago, and while he seemingly had a good relationship with Mauricio Pochettino (who rehabilitated his career and got him to the England squad) he quickly fell out of favor with Jose Mourinho.

It’s a good move for Danny, who gets his move back to the north of England, and a good move for Newcastle, who get a proven Premier League left back that is in an area of need.

It is not a good move for me, since it means I will no longer see Danny Rose in lilywhite, shithousing his way to fouls just outside the opposition box. Say what you want about Danny, but I’ve loved him since his Tottenham debut and I will miss him extraordinarily.

As always, we await further confirmation.

Update (5:00 p.m. ET): Matt Law has got it at the Telegraph. Loan with an option to purchase, £2m loan fee. Announcement is probably coming tomorrow.