OPINION
Tottenham are reportedly interested in landing Valencia defender Joao Cancelo and making him their first signing of the summer.
The Mail claim that Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino is keen on the 23-year-old from La Liga and that the club’s scouts watched him in June play for Portugal.
It is understood that Italian giants Juventus are also very interested in signing the right-back and are willing to pay £25million to secure him.
The report details that Cancelo is keen to leave Spanish side Valencia and that two teams will battle for him.
Good move for Tottenham?
If Spurs could strengthen just one area in the remainder of the summer window it would have to be right-back, which is why Valencia ace Cancelo would be a great fit.
The 23-year-old is an upcoming talent in La Liga and would improve hugely under the guidance of Mauricio Pochettino.
He chipped in with four assists during his 38 games for Valencia last season and his attacking nature means he could slot straight into Spurs’ system.
Kieran Trippier is the only senior right-back in the Spurs squad and he is an injury doubt for the start of the season, which means youngster Kyle Walker-Peters could be in line for his senior debut.
Portugal international Cancelo looks to have all the attributes to succeed in the Premier League and the north London club should rival Juventus’ £25million interest.
This Is Futbol rating: 9/10
Likely to happen?
Spurs may not have signed anyone so far in the summer transfer window, but it does seem likely that there will be one or two new arrivals before the end of August.
They want to add players that can compete for a starting position and Cancelo has the qualities to rival Trippier for the right-back slot.
He has the fit of a Spurs target and it would make sense for them to make him a transfer priority, with the sale of Kyle Walker leaving a gap in their squad.
However, Juventus would be extremely tough competitions to fend off as they are looking to fill the void left by Dani Alves.
Cancelo looks set to depart Valencia in the summer if an acceptable bid comes in and it really is a straight shootout between Spurs and Juventus.
This Is Futbol rating: 5/10