EXCLUSIVE: Tottenham target Breel Embolo ‘likely to leave this summer’

The Switzerland international has been linked with Spurs in recent days and Basel’s director of football admits that a summer exit for the 19-year-old striker is likely

Basel youngster Breel Embolo looks set to leave the Swiss champions this summer, the club’s sporting director has confirmed to Goal.

The 19-year-old is rated among the very best in his country’s age group and is also considered to be Basel’s hottest prospect since Xherdan Shaqiri, with interest already shown by teams in the Premier League and Bundesliga.

Embolo, who was born in Cameroon but chose to play for Switzerland after moving there aged six, has been included in the Swiss squad for Euro 2016 after scoring 12 goals in 35 games this season and continues to attract suitors thanks to his pace, technique and agility.

“It’s very probable that he’ll leave this summer”, Basel sporting director Georg Heitz told Goal.

“He’s played for three seasons in our first team and he’s just 19-year-old. At some point we have to accept that we cannot change our league. The players love our club but realise they have to change their league at some point to develop.”

Serie A giants Juventus were one of several major European sides to scout Embolo last season but their interest has halted since, while Tottenham are the latest club to be linked with the three-time Swiss Super League champion.

Despite the obvious attraction to Europe’s elite, Heitz suggests Embolo would be better suited to a team where he’ll be given more opportunities to play.