Tottenham Hotspur have just received some bad news in their rumoured pursuit of La Liga right-back Andrei Ratiu as a Champions League club have entered the race.
Spurs have no shortage of options at right-back, with Pedro Porro, Djed Spence and Archie Gray at Ange Postecoglou’s disposal.
However, despite this, the Lilywhites have been backed to make a move for a Rayo Vallecano right-back, who is having a standout season in La Liga.
It has been reported over recent weeks that Tottenham are plotting a move for Andrei Ratiu, who has a release clause of just €25m (£20.6m) in his contract.
While that deal might seem straightforward on paper, Spurs have just learned that they are set to face a lot of competition for the Romanian.
Bayer Leverkusen and Tottenham both interested in Andrei Ratiu
AS have now claimed that Ratiu’s impressive displays of late have seen several clubs from England and Italy take notice, while the likes of Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are also monitoring his progress.
However, the report says that the ones who are particularly keen on signing the 26-year-old at the moment are Bayer Leverkusen.
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Xabi Alonso’s men expect Jeremie Frimpong to leave at the end of the season and are positioning themselves to replace the Dutchman with Ratiu.
This report also refers to the right-back’s £20.6m release clause and explains that there could be a heated transfer battle for his services this summer.
Rayo Vallecano director makes confident Ratiu claim
AS also relay an interview that Rayo Vallecano sporting director David Cobeno has given to DAZN recently about the Romanian international.
Cobeno insists that the Spanish club are very confident of retaining Ratiu despite his low release clause.
He says about the right-back’s future: “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.”