Christian Eriksen is staying at Tottenham for the time being after the Danish playmaker failed to make a move before the European transfer window slammed shut.
Eriksen confirmed his intentions to leave Spurs early this summer and experience a new challenge, with a move to Spain his preferred destination.
However, interest from Barcelona and Real Madrid failed to materialise as the Clasico rivals both pursued options elsewhere, leaving Eriksen in limbo.
Manchester United showed late interest before the domestic transfer window ended, but soon dropped out of the running when it became clear that Eriksen still remained set on a Spanish club.
Mauricio Pochettino vented his frustration at the situation in the coming weeks, with Spurs wary of being left without the possibility of signing a replacement should a foreign club make a move for Eriksen.
However, no bid materialised for Eriksen, who will now stay at Spurs until January 2020 at the very least.
There remains a slim possibility of Spurs selling the Denmark international in January to recoup a transfer fee rather than losing him for free in the summer - but Eriksen will be free to talk to foreign clubs in the New Year regarding a free transfer in summer 2020, and is unlikely to agree to being sold unless the deal suits him.
While Eriksen did not get his move to Spain this summer, the playmaker - who will be 28 next year - could be an attractive prospect as a free signing next summer for the likes of Barca or Real.
Eriksen would also expect to significantly boost his earnings, with clubs likely to offer him a bumper contract as there would be no transfer fee to pay Spurs for his services.
It is not outside the realms of possibility that Eriksen could sign a new contract with Spurs, but it remains unlikely that the north London club would be able to - or want to, for that matter - offer him the sizeable pay increase it would likely take to rival any potential contract offers in January.
