Tottenham Hotspur are not part of the Club World Cup, but they are keeping a close eye on the competition.
Spurs have appointed Thomas Frank as their new head coach. The Dane has replaced Ange Postecoglou and will be looking to bring in his own players.
Bryan Mbeumo is a player Frank wants at Tottenham, but the new Spurs boss is looking at other players as well to strengthen his side.
One of them is shining at the Club World Cup.
Tottenham want to sign Richard Rios
Tottenham need some help in the middle of the park.
Rodrigo Bentancur and Yves Bissouma will both enter the final year of their contracts this summer, and we all know that Daniel Levy hates losing players for free.
If one of them, or both, are sold this summer, Tottenham will need a new player in midfield.
GiveMeSport have now claimed that Spurs ‘have refused to rule out attempting to win the race’ for Palmeiras midfielder Richard Rios.
The Colombian impressed in Palmeiras’ opening Club World Cup game against Porto, where he played in a deeper midfield role.
The report claims that Frank and members of the Tottenham recruitment team are ‘keeping tabs’ on Rios and are interested in signing him this summer.
It has further been claimed that ‘Tottenham are confident that Rios has developed his control and dominance in the middle of the park, while his ability to read the game and open up play with his technical brilliance have been pinpointed as eye-catching traits as they look to bolster their options’.
Rios’ current contract at Palmeiras does not expire until the end of 2028, but he has a release clause in his deal worth an eye-watering £85 million.
Who is Tottenham target Richard Rios and what is his style of play?
Rios is a 25-year-old midfielder who plays for Palmeiras and the Colombian national football team.
Hailed for his versatility, Rios can play anywhere in midfield. He played as a six against Porto in the Club World Cup, but he is more than capable of playing in a box-to-box role.
Rios is good in possession, has the ability to progress the ball from his own half to the more advanced areas of the pitch, and he also possesses the skill to pass through the lines.
The Colombian is a very complete midfielder, and it is no surprise that Tottenham are keeping tabs on him as they look to bolster the middle of their park.
But, the fact that he has never played in Europe before is a bit of a concern.