EXCLUSIVE: Tottenham target LaLiga winger amid Son contract decision
Tottenham Hotspur are keeping a close eye on RCD Espanyol winger Javi Puado as they look to strengthen their squad in the upcoming January transfer window.
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The winger caught the attention of Spurs scouts while watching loanee Alejo Veliz in action at the beginning of September against Real Vallecano.
The 26-year-old, who is out of contract in 2025, has had an impressive start to the season, scoring three goals in eight appearances.
Puado's exploits have seen him become one of the club's most important players, with 184 appearances and 48 goals to his name, making him the sixth-highest scorer in Espanyol's history.
The attacker netted a brace against Real Oviedo in June to help his side bounce back from relegation at the first time of asking and his early-season form back in LaLiga has piqued the curiosity of Tottenham.
Spurs set to trigger Son extension
Despite Spurs' interest in Puado, who would be brought in to add depth to the left-wing position, the club are primarily focused on securing the future of their captain, Heung-min Son.
The South Korean star, who is currently their highest earner at £190,000 per week, has a contract that, like Puado's, runs until 2025.
Son recently admitted that no talks over a new deal have as yet taken place, but we can confirm that Tottenham plan to trigger their one-year extension to keep him at the club until 2026, while also offering an additional year to ensure he doesn’t leave on a free transfer.
Though promising 17-year-old talent Mikey Moore is coming through the ranks and earning rave reviews, Spurs are looking for a more experienced winger to compete with 32-year-old Son.
Chairman Daniel Levy's use of contract extensions is a key strategy for maintaining squad stability, and this approach looks set to keep fan favourite Son as a central figure in Ange Postecoglou's side for a while longer.