Former Tottenham transfer target Arkadiusz Milik is happy to wait until the January transfer window before sealing a switch away from the Stadio San Paolo.
Milik was one of several strikers looked at by the Tottenham hierarchy as they searched for reinforcements up front and a central forward who could deputise for Harry Kane.
football.london understands that Milik was considered a credible option but Spurs instead prioritised Brazilian striker Carlos Vinicius, who has arrived in north London on a season-long loan from Benfica.
Milik, who played in Poland's last two internationals, is now in limbo as he's been left out of Napoli coach Gennaro Gattuso's squad for the rest of the season and his contract expires next summer.
In what may appear to be a reassuring message to sides that want to sign him, including Juventus, Roma, Everton, and Fiorentina, Milik insisted three months with no football "won't affect me too much".
“Now, I’ll wait for the next transfer window and I hope the clubs can find and understanding,” Milik told Sportowefakty.pl. “Physically I’m fine, I have trained well individually.
“I will play matches with the national side. In three months, my form won’t be too much affected.”
From Spurs' perspective, they are likely to have now moved on from Milik with Jose Mourinho committed to ensuring Vinicius can add support to Kane and Son Heung-Min and develop into a Premier League-class striker.
The Brazilian provides a physical presence up front and also is a strong finisher, plus his preference of playing off his left adds further balance to Mourinho's attack strategy.
He's signed until May 2021 with a view to a £38.2m permanent move should be prove successful but the potential availability of Milik, who's scored 48 goals in 122 games for Napoli, should also not be ignored.
If Vinicius fails to adapt to the Premier League, or even England itself, then having a ready-made alternative in the next transfer window represents a safe and wise strategy for the club.
