Mauricio Pochettino has been on a Barcelona scouting mission to watch their teenage playmaker sensation Riqui Puig, according to the Sun.
The newspaper claim the Tottenham manager was the the Mini Estadi, Barca’s smaller stadium next to their Nou Camp, to watch Spaniard Puig and company overcome Cornella 2-1 on Saturday in a Segunda B Division clash.
The Sun report rising star Puig is thought to have an £88million release clause after signing a new contract following his club’s Uefa Youth League triumph last season.
Good move for Tottenham?
Puig is a rising star with the potential to be an established one. He was outstanding for Barcelona in the Uefa Youth League last season as they breezed past the likes of Juventus, Atletico Madrid, Manchester City and Chelsea, and has also been making a big impact in Segunda B, which is where Barcelona reserves play. Aged 19, he is a hugely exciting talent who is technically excellent and can dictate the play from the centre of the pitch. Spurs have an excellent record of developing youthful talent under Pochettino and Puig would fit the bill as a player with the potential to graduate into their first team.
This Is Futbol rating 7/10
Likely to happen?
The release clause is way outside of Spurs’ price range, but a deal could be done at a far cheaper price if the teenager pushes for a move and calculates that he won’t get the game time he needs in the Barcelona first team. Much depends upon whether Puig is close enough to the senior side to satisfy his ambitions. If not, Spurs could offer a high quality alternative in terms of career progression.
This Is Futbol rating 3/10