Tottenham Hotspur and two other Premier League clubs who are circling over a South American star have been told that they will not be able to sign the player on a discount.
Next big export from Argentina?
Boca Juniors are one of the most storied clubs in South American football and have produced several players who have gone on to be superstars in the European and world game.
It now appears like winger Kevin Zenon might be the club’s next big export to Europe, with the 23-year-old winning several admirers with his displays in the Argentine top-flight.
Tottenham are thought to be one of the clubs following the Boca star closely but it has now emerged that a deal might not be as cheap as the Lilywhites thought.
Boca’s stance on Kevin Zenon
This latest update comes from LM Neuquen (as translated by Sport Witness), who named Spurs, Aston Villa and Newcastle United as the three clubs who are eyeing Zenon ahead of the January window.
The report says that the Magpies have even sent emissaries to closely observe the wide-man, who now looks like he will be heading to Europe sooner rather than later.
However, it is pointed out that Boca will not be letting their star man leave on the cheap, with the outlet pointing out that the Argentine club even rejected an offer of $18m (£13.9m) from Hoffenheim for the player.
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They say that the Premier League trio would thus have to come up with an ‘attractive offer’ to convince Boca, although they do not state how highly Zenon is valued.
Does Zenon have a release clause in his contract?
This is not the first we are hearing of Tottenham‘s interest in Zenon but this report contradicts the information reported by various outlets over the last couple of months.
While reporting on Spurs’ interest in the winger, the likes of Fichajes and Pasion Futbol claimed that the Argentina Under-23 international has a $15m (£11.4m) release clause in his contract.
However, LM Neuquen’s claim about Hoffenheim’s rejected offer suggests that there is no such clause in the player’s contract.