Tottenham Hotspur have been linked with a move for Lautaro Rivero of late. And given how the North Londoners have prioritised bringing in highly regarded young players and developing them through the corridors at Hotspur Way, he does look like a proper Lilywhites buy (for the last couple of years or so).

When we start looking at central defenders from Argentina, you don’t end up far off Hotspur Way, with skipper Cristian Romero possibly being one of the best in the world. But the teams that dominated the conversations are already playing in Europe and grinding through the leagues on the continent. Yet when you start looking beyond, you end up in Buenos Aires, where Lautaro Rivero is quietly emerging at River Plate.

He is a 21‑year‑old left‑footed centre‑back who has that blend of size and fluidity. He is someone who shows athletic ability but with technical comfort. These qualities are much of a qualification apart from the young central defensive profiles that Tottenham have signed off late (Luka Vuskovic, Takai). And it looks like he could be next through the doors at N17.

Now he has not had a lot of minutes at River Plate yet. Lautaro Rivero was on a loan...