A Tottenham target is expected to make a big move sooner rather than later, but the Lilywhites have now found out that winning the race for the player will be far from straightforward.
Journalists continue to suggest that signing a centre-back to rotate with Cristian Romero and Micky van Den is a priority for Thomas Frank in the January transfer window.
However, Luka Vuskovic is developing rapidly at Hamburg, and many may feel that the Croat may be ready to push for a first-team spot at Spurs soon.
That might make it counterintuitive for the Lilywhites to spend big on a centre-back, which might be why Tottenham are reportedly turning to a River Plate starlet, whose stock is growing rapidly in Argentina.
Tottenham are expected to face major competition for Lautaro Rivero
A new report in El Intransigente (as relayed by Sport Witness) has now confirmed Tottenham’s interest in Lautaro Rivero, who is emerging as one of the best young centre-backs in the Primera Division.
However, the report says that Spurs are not the only ones eyeing Rivero, with Atletico Madrid also fans of the player.
Further, it is revealed that the City Group, owners of Manchester City, are now the latest club to enter the race for the 21-year-old defender.
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It is not revealed if it is indeed Man City or one of the other clubs in the group who want to sign Rivero, but they are now firmly in the contest after Spurs and Atletico made ‘initial enquiries’ for the player.
The outlet adds that the growing interest in the centre-back has set off alarm bells at River Plate, who now consider it a ‘nearly impossible task’ to hold onto the player for too long.
Spurs’ expected offer for Lautaro Rivero may fall short
Another new report from River Noticias (via Sport Witness) also names the same three clubs as the ones interested in Rivero.
They suggest that Tottenham Hotspur and Atletico would be willing to put $20m (£14.8m) on the table for the young defender in January, but that is not expected to be enough to clinch the deal.
River Plate are in a strong negotiating position since Rivero is protected by a $100m (£74.4m) release clause, and they expect to be well compensated for their starlet.