Opinion: Tottenham highly unlikely to sign any of three Clasico stars listed as targets

Tottenham Hotspur have been listed as holding an interest in Clasico stars Philippe Coutinho, Ivan Rakitic and James Rodriguez by the Daily Mail – but in all honesty, it is hard to see any of these players ending up in North London this summer.

Spurs fans will be keen for attacking reinforcements to arrive at the club before the transfer window closes and being touted as a potential destination for players from Barcelona and Real Madrid can only be a good thing.

Tottenham have previously been linked with Coutinho and there is no doubting the Brazilian would be a sensational addition if a deal could be struck.

But, given the malaise of Barcelona in the Champions League 8-2 defeat to Bayern Munich and the fact the South American playmaker provided a late cameo against his parent club, surely the midfielder’s future will be at Camp Nou.

Even if Coutinho was allowed to leave, Tottenham would struggle to compete with other leading European clubs financially, while the lack of Champions League football doesn’t help.

Both Rakitic and Rodriguez were world-class stars in their prime and the thought of either of them arriving at Spurs could add excitement and quality to Jose Mourinho’s ranks.

But, with Daniel Levy’s ploy to sign players he can make a profit on (or at least not a massive loss), the veterans are both not in the Tottenham mould when it comes to new acquisitions.

Here’s hoping that more new players arrive at Spurs this summer – but I can’t see any of these three playing for the Lilywhites next season.