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What Happened To The 7 Players Spurs Bought With The Gareth Bale Transfer Money?

LONDON - With Tottenham Hotspur confirming Érik Lamela joined Sevilla on Monday, the last of the signings — dubbed “the magnificent seven” — to arrive in the wake of Gareth Bale's $117.44 million sale to Real Madrid in the summer of 2013 has left the club.

What became of the seven signed in 2013?

(Appearances and goals for Premier League only)

Vlad Chiricheș (27 appearances, 1 goal | 2013-15)

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Seen as one of Europe's hottest young defenders when Spurs paid a reported $11.75 million to secure his services from Steaua București, but struggled in England.

Departed for Napoli in 2015 and remains in Serie A with Sassuolo.

Roberto Soldado (52 appearances, 7 goals | 2013-15)

Spurs hoped the goalscoring void that Bale left would be filled by Soldado, who had netted 24 times in LaLiga the previous campaign for Valencia — but it never quite happened.

Joined Villarreal in 2015 and is currently with LaLiga's Levante.

Paulinho (45 appearances, 6 goals | 2013-15)

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Another who lasted just two years, the box-to-box midfielder was shipped off to China before enjoying an unlikely Indian summer at Barcelona in 2017-18, winning a league and cup double.

Currently in Saudi Arabia with Al-Ahli.

Étienne Capoue (24 appearances, 1 goal | 2013-15)

Never managed to establish himself at Spurs, but went on to have a stellar career in England with Watford.

Joined Villarreal in January, with whom he won the Europa League last season.

Nacer Chadli (88 appearances, 15 goals | 2013-16)

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Lasted a year longer than most of his new teammates, reaching double figures for league goals in 2014-15, however lost his place and departed for West Bromwich Albion in 2016.

Came on as a substitute in Belgium's Euro 2020 quarterfinal defeat by Italy, but had to be replaced due to injury just four minutes later.

Christian Eriksen (226 appearances, 51 goals | 2013-20)

The standout, Eriksen was an ever-present during his six-and-a-half years in London, helping Spurs reach the 2019 Champions League final.

Joined Inter Milan in January 2020, winning Serie A last season. The Dane suffered a cardiac arrest during his country's Euro 2020 opening game against Finland earlier and it is unknown when, or if, he will return.

Érik Lamela (177 appearances, 17 goals | 2013-21)

The final domino to fall, Lamela's time at the club was mired by injuries and inconsistent form after signing from AS Roma for a reported club-record $41.46 million.  

(Reporting by Joseph Walker; Editing by Christian Radnedge)

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