Paul Mitchell will leave Tottenham amid claims he had become frustrated with the club’s transfer policy.

The head of recruitment and analysis is under contract until the end of 2017, although it is highly unlikely he will remain that long. As it stands, Mitchell will see out this transfer window and then there are expected to be further discussions.

Leicester, who lost their recruitment chief Steve Walsh to Everton, are thought to be following the situation closely and if Mitchell sees out his contract, it will create a potentially awkward situation if he is targeted by other clubs.

Standard Sport understands Mitchell, an ally of manager Mauricio Pochettino from their Southampton days, had grown disillusioned at the way, at times, transfer business is conducted at Tottenham.

It is thought he believed Michy Batshuayi, the Belgium forward he watched extensively, was ready to join Spurs from Marseille - only for Chelsea to sign him for £33million on a five-year contract worth about £125,000 per week.

In Tottenham’s current wage structure, the best-paid players are in the £75,000-£80,000-a-week bracket.

Mitchell was also an advocate of Lille forward Sofiane Boufal. He is believed to have pushed for Victor Wanyama - who joined Tottenham this summer - to be bought in the summer of 2015, when Spurs did not conclude a deal with Southampton, who ultimately refused to sell.

On Mitchell’s watch, Dele Alli joined Tottenham from MK Dons but David Pleat, the former Tottenham manager, had far more influence in that January 2015 deal than Mitchell did.

Kevin Wimmer was recommended by Mitchell and has earned a new contract but two other players in the 2015 intake, Heung-Min Son and Clinton Njie, may be sold after just one year in north London.

On the club’s website, chairman Daniel Levy said: “Mitch has been with us for two years and has created a well staffed department and run our recruitment processes for the past two years. We understand and respect his wish to consider new avenues.”

Mitchell added: “I have enjoyed my time at the club and it will continue to be my sole focus until I move on to new challenges.”

Mitchell’s decision has come as a surprise to many at Spurs, who are negotiating contracts with a number of key players.

Eric Dier is poised to sign new terms worth about £45,000 a week, while talks are ongoing with Christian Eriksen, Hugo Lloris and Jan Vertonghen.