Daniel Levy has overseen some dreadful transfers during his reign as Tottenham Chairman.
Levy is known for his pragmatic approach to transfer dealings. However, the 63-year-old hasn’t always got things right in North London.
There have been plenty of high-profile mistakes over the years, such as the signings of Tanguy Ndombele and Giovani Lo Celso.
And it looks as though Levy could be set to make yet another mistake at Tottenham.
Tottenham are interested in defensive midfielder Richard Ríos
As reported by Eduardo Burgos (18 June), Tottenham are interested in a move for Richard Ríos from Palmeiras this summer.
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Premier League clubs Crystal Palace and Newcastle United are also keen on the Colombian, whose contract runs until 2028.
The midfielder will cost a little over £21million. However, Palmeiras do not need to, nor are they in a hurry, to sell the player. Tottenham need defensive reinforcements in the midfield, but signing Ríos could come back to haunt Levy.
The 25-year-old first entered the scene through Flamengo’s Under-20s team before he was loaned to Mexican side Mazatlán. He then spent a year with Flamengo before leaving on a free transfer to Guarani and finally signed for his current side, Palmeiras.
The biggest concern that arises is that he has not left South America in all his years as a professional player. It would be a huge risk for Levy to sign Ríos, who may struggle to adapt to the pace of the Premier League, and could be looked back on as yet another transfer howler under Levy’s watch in North London.
Tottenham should seek Hayden Hackney as an alternative to Ríos
Tottenham have been linked to Hayden Hackney as a viable option for their midfield next season.
The Middlesbrough midfielder could prove a better to be a better signing than Ríos this summer. He is three years younger than the Colombian and already has plenty of experience in English football.
Hackney was a stand-out player in the Championship last season. Therefore, the Premier League seems like the logical next step in his career progression.
Furthermore, he would fit Spurs like a glove. Hackney is known for his progressive passing, impressive ball retention and ability to contribute offensively and defensively in the midfield.
For a Tottenham side with high-level output players up front, his profile could be important in the buildup to help unlock his teammates. Therefore, Levy should consider all factors before commiting to a defensive midfield signing this summer.