'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Tottenham Hotspur have over the years built a reputation for developing quality players. Sometimes it is from their academy itself or sometimes it has been by signing young players from other clubs and grooming them.
Many of those players have turned into world-class players. However, with the club's failure to win silverware, those footballers have opted to leave more often than not. It is a pity given the efforts Spurs have put into developing them.
Tottenham Hotspur are forced to sell more often
Harry Kane is a fine example of how players grow at Tottenham. But as has been the case with others, the player is frustrated with not winning trophies despite the best efforts.
That being said, Spurs have made enormous profits when the time has come to sell their best players. On that note, let's take a look at their most profitable transfers so far.
Note: All values are as per Transfermarkt
#5 Kieran Trippier
The Englishman is back in the Premier League having signed for Newcastle United in the January winter transfer window. Kieran Trippier was once a Tottenham Hotspur player when he joined them from Burnley for a fee of £4.41 million in 2015.
With his impressive and attacking game-play as a right-back, he was productive in helping Spurs qualify for the Champions League. He played 114 games for Spurs in all competitions. This attracted interest from elsewhere and it was Atletico Madrid who were leading the race to sign him.
Trippier was signed for a fee of £19.80 million by the Spanish side in 2019. He became Atletico's first English player in 95 years back then. The transfer helped Spurs make a profit of £15.39 million.
#4 Dimitar Berbatov
One of the Premier League's most elegant strikers has to be Dimitar Berbatov. The Bulgarian was signed from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 2006 for a fee of £14.13 million.
Dimitar Berbatov, with his silky touches, close control and amazing finishing abilities, was very effective in front of goal. In 102 appearances for Spurs in all competitions, the right-footed striker scored 46 goals and assisted 24. Due to his impressive performances, he was targeted by Manchester United.
The Red Devils signed him for a fee of £34.20 million in 2008, helping Spurs make a profit of £20.07 million. Dimitar Berbatov went on to achieve a lot of success while playing for United.
#3 Michael Carrick
Tottenham Hotspur had a gem of a midfielder in Michael Carrick. The Englishman was signed from West Ham United for a fee of £3.69 million in the summer of 2004.
Carrick had an amazing understanding and reading of the game. This, combined with his incisive passing and smart positioning, made him a fantastic deep-playing midfielder. His performances didn't always involve being among goals but also helping out his defenders time and again.
His talent and potential attracted interest from Manchester United and Spurs could do very little to convince the English midfielder to stay. United signed him for a fee of £24.48 million, helping the North London club gain a profit of £20.79 million.
#2 Kyle Walker
Coming through the ranks at Sheffield United, Kyle Walker did not get much chance to play for the senior side. The Englishman was signed by Tottenham Hotspur in 2009 for a fee of £5.31 million.
With his strong physique, blistering pace and amazing attacking abilities, Walker was more than handy on the right flank. His defensive capabilities have been commendable too. His productive and consistent performances attracted Manchester City's interest.
The Citizens wasted little time in securing Walker's signature as they signed him in the summer of 2017. The transfer fee involved was around £47.43 million, which helped Spurs make a profit of £42.12 million.
#1 Gareth Bale
Gareth Bale is arguably one of the best players in the history of Tottenham Hotspur. Coming through the ranks at Southampton, the Welshman started his career as a left-back.
He was signed by Spurs in the summer of 2007 for a fee of £13.23 million. The then Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp promoted Gareth Bale to left-winger and found immense success in that. With his stunning pace, fabulous dribbling and phenomenal goal-scoring abilities, the Welsh winger was terrific with the North London club.
In his 166 Premier League appearances for the club, Bale managed to score 54 goals and registered 22 assists. He was named Premier League Player of the Season in the 2012-13 season. Unfortunately, his sensational performance for Spurs didn't result in any silverware.
Real Madrid and Manchester United were very keen to get Bale's signature. Eventually, the prospect of joining Madrid attracted Bale and a deal was struck. The transfer fee involved was around £90.90 million, helping Spurs make a profit of £77.67 million.
