On March 10th, ABC reported Tottenham Hotspur are one of the clubs ‘fighting’ to sign Rayo Vallecano’s Andrei Rațiu in the summer window.
The Romania international’s fine displays at last summer’s Euros and his rise at the La Liga club this season have seen several teams, including Spurs and Bayer Leverkusen, take notice.
AS cover Bayer Leverkusen’s interest in the Tottenham target, who has managed two goals and three assists from 28 games this season.
The right-back’s impressive performances and qualities has seen Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and several clubs from England and Italy take notice. The report points out he has also become an object of desire for Bayer Leverkusen.
Xabi Alonso currently has Jeremie Frimpong on the right side and there’s expectation the Dutchman could leave after this season. The Bundesliga winners like Rațiu’s profile and have positioned themselves to sign him.
They will try to muscle in with Tottenham and other clubs for the 26-year-old’s services in the next window. Rațiu’s contract expires in 2028, and includes a €25m release clause.
Rayo Vallecano sporting director David Cobeño has told DAZN, relayed by AS, that Rațiu will only leave if his clause is activated.
“We are very happy with Andrei here. The discourse is always the same, whoever wants him will have to pay the clause. Our wish is that he continues at the level he is at, and we are very confident for the future. Time will tell if he stays with us or if someone pays the clause,” he said.
Tottenham need to convince Rațiu and pay €25m to acquire his signature.