Tottenham could pay £21.3m to hijack Premier League interest in ex-Futsal star

Tottenham could be set to rival one of their fellow Premier League clubs to sign a player who is attracting attention at this summer’s FIFA Club World Cup in the United States. Spurs are on a mission to improve their squad this summer as they look to create a group strong enough to competer much better in the Premier League while also managing a respectable run in the Champions League.

No one will expect Thomas Frank to win the Premier League title in his first year in charge, but he will have to get his men fighting for Champions League qualification, and that in itself could be a big ask just months after the team settled for their worst-ever Premier League campaign.

Frank is going to need help with strong recruitment, and he is likely to get that help, with plenty of new signings expected between now and the start of the new season. One player Spurs are now being credited with an interest in is Palmeiras midfielder Richard Rios, who has been catching the eye at the FIFA Club World Cup.

Rios has helped Palmeiras through to the knockout stages, and he is being tipped for a move to the Premier League. Ben Jacobs told The United Stand: “At the moment he’s only focused on the Club World Cup and he’s been fantastic, we’re definitely seeing growing interest as a consequence. At this stage I’m not aware of Manchester United making any sort of approach or any move on the player’s side.

“Nottingham Forest are the only Premier League team I know who have actually made contact on the player’s side. If he continues to perform and put himself in the shop window there will be other clubs, Manchester United could be one of them. Tottenham are another club to watch, PSG really like the player too,”

Rios is 25 years of age, and he has been with Palmeiras since 2019 after making the switch from futsal as a youth player. He told FIFA of his futsal background: “When I was growing up, I divided my time equally between futsal and 11-a-side football. But when I realised the chances of me going far in football were limited, I committed to futsal.

“Most of what I do on the pitch stems from futsal, whether it’s putting my foot on the ball and controlling possession, handling one-on-one situations or executing one-twos. I can think more quickly than some in tight spaces. And I think that football involves a lot of that – many micro-games within a much bigger one, you know. These mini battles – two on two or one on one – can be the things you have to get right to win a game. Futsal is all about that, which is why it helps me a lot.”

Rios has racked up 98 league appearances for Palmeiras and 23 caps for his nation, Colombia. Diario AS in Spain have reported that Rios will cost 25million euros this summer, which works out at around £21.3million.

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