From France: Spurs plotting move for ‘tempting’ target cheaper than Gvardiol; they’re admirers

According to a French source, Tottenham Hotspur are plotting a move to sign Palmeiras left-back Joaquin Piquerez this summer.

The 23-year-old joined the Brazilian club last summer and has had an impressive debut season at the Allianz Parque, clocking up 49 appearances, providing three assists and netting one goal during that time (as per Transfermarkt).

Despite still having almost three-and-a-half years left on his contract with Abel Ferreira’s side, his form has now seen him being linked with a move away from Brazil’s top flight, and a move to the Premier League – and to north London in particular – could be on the cards.

As reported by Goal France (via Daily Express), it’s claimed that Piquerez is ‘being courted’ by Tottenham, alongside Marseille and an unnamed German club.

The source claimed that Spurs are ‘admirers’ and ‘appreciate’ the Uruguayan, who is likely to be available ‘for a fraction’ of the price that Fabio Paratici would have to pay for one of the club’s main targets Josko Gvardiol.

The RB Leipzig star is valued at approximately £80m according to The Athletic, making Piquerez a ‘much cheaper alternative’ for the Tottenham hierarchy.

Paratici has already shown just how much he is willing to financially back Antonio Conte this summer, having already signed five new players.

They are also reportedly closing in on a sixth summer recruit in Djed Spence, so there’s no reason why he’d stop now.

Sergio Reguilon has been consistently linked with a move away from N17 in recent weeks, and if Ivan Perisic will be playing in that natural wing-back role, this frees up a position for a new left-back if the Spaniard departs N17.

Piquerez, who was dubbed a ‘tempting’ target by football journalist Martin Charquero, averaged