Tottenham close in on midfielder from European giant – talks ‘advanced’

Barcelona starlet Riqui Puig is closing in on a move to Tottenham Hotspur this summer, according to Spanish publication Sport.

The 18-year-old has impressed for the Catalan giants’ academy side this term in the UEFA Youth League and his form even led to him featuring three times for the ‘B’ team in Spain’s second tier.

However, the youngster has a host of offers on the table and Spurs are thought to be leading the chase for his signature.

Manager Mauricio Pochettino is a big fan of Riqui and the report claims that Tottenham are now in advanced contract talks to take him to North London, with a final decision to be made in the coming days.

Although the famed Barca academy has not rolled out many world-class talents in recent years, there are high hopes for the midfielder and snapping him up may prove to be an excellent piece of business for the Lilywhites.

In many ways a typical product of La Masia, Riqui is small but technically gifted and able to dictate the play from the centre of the park.

With three goals and three assists for the youth side this season, he has also shown an eye for goal and could be a welcome offensive addition to the Tottenham team.

This would be a trademark Pochettino signing; a teenager with bags of potential who can slowly be integrated into the first-team setup over the next few years.

At the moment a deal looks likely and fans will be hopeful of seeing Riqui plying his trade at Spurs’ new home ground in 2018-19.

After finishing third in the Premier League, Tottenham will enter the Champions League at the group stage when the competition kicks off in September and will hope to better a last-16 exit this time around.

After four seasons of progression, Pochettino will now be prioritising a trophy as tangible evidence of the team’s improvement.