Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou is personally keen for the club to move for the “versatile” player who has impressed the club’s scouts as the Lilywhites continue to look for their second January signing after missing out Randal Kolo Muani.
Juventus won the race for Kolo Muani while Tottenham missed out
Over the past week and beyond, Spurs and Juventus were widely believed to be battling it out for Kolo Muani’s signature – but a reliable journalist has confirmed the winner of the race Fabrizio Romano.
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On Tuesday night, Romano unleashed his famous “here we are” as Juve beat Spurs in the battle to sign Kolo Muani – bringing bad news for Postecoglou, the technical director Johan Lange and the chairman Daniel Levyas they are forced to go back to the drawing board.
Spurs regarded the 26-year-old PSG outcast as one of the best strikers available for hire in the January transfer window (David Ornstein), so the news will come as a blow to the club as they also prepare for a tense north London derby against Arsenal this evening.
After rejecting the signing of Kolo Muani, Postecoglou’s side remain in the market for a new striker, with the Australian pleading with his side to bring in some “help” for forward Dominic Solanke.
“If we can help him, yes. Dom has just been outstanding in the way he’s carried the front lines for us during this period,” he said Postecoglou on supporting Solanke.
“Because Dom is a new player, it would probably be easier for him to slot in and do his job, but he’s taken on the responsibility of helping the whole team. He’s been great for us. I really feel like there’s more to him and we’ll be able to get more out of him if we can help him.”
As well as another attacking option, reports suggest they are looking for another midfielder. Tottenham are targeting Inter Milan’s Davide Frattesi as one of the options for that role, while it is believed that Palmeiras star Richard Rios is also on their agenda.
Ange Postecoglou really wants Richard Rios at Tottenham
According to CaughtOffside, sharing an update on her relationship with the Colombian international, Postecoglou is personally “very interested” in Tottenham signing Rios.
This follows a report which The Spurs recently rejected an official offer for Riosand although it’s unclear how much they offered, he could actually be snapped up for much cheaper than his 84 million pounds release clause.
The 24-year-old signed a new contract in October 2024, including a seismic clause, but reports in South America soon after claimed that Palmeiras would not sell for less than 13 million pounds (Hoy Diario del Magdalena via Sport Witness).
Rios is said to have really impressed the N17 scouts as well. However, Spurs face strong competition from Everton and Nottingham Forest, who are pushing hard for the South American.
“Richard is a versatile player who can fit into several roles in midfield,” said the head coach of Palmeiras Abel Ferreira. “His ability to defend and attack makes him a valuable asset to any team. We are excited to see what he brings to our team.”
