Aston Villa are weighing up a €20 million bid for River Plate defender Lautaro Rivero, a player also on Tottenham Hotspur’s radar ahead of the January window.
Tottenham are already plotting winter business as they look to halt their recent slump. Thomas Frank’s tenure started positively, but results have deteriorated, and some Spurs supporters are growing frustrated with his pragmatic style.
The 4-1 humiliation against Arsenal in the North London derby highlighted the team’s issues. Frank admitted he got his tactics wrong and demanded a reaction in the Champions League against PSG. Spurs showed more grit, but PSG’s superior quality ultimately won out.
It is increasingly obvious that Tottenham need reinforcements across the pitch if they hope to stay in the hunt for European football. Defensive concerns have grown, with captain Cristian Romero struggling for form. Beyond Romero and Micky van de Ven, Frank only has Kevin Danso as a dependable centre-half. Ben Davies has not featured at all this season due to injuries, while Radu Dragusin is still recovering from his ACL setback.
Aston Villa chasing Tottenham target Lautaro Rivero
Reports from October revealed Tottenham’s interest in River Plate prospect Lautaro Rivero, with several European clubs tracking his development.
Rivero has rapidly emerged as one of South America’s most promising young centre-backs. A River Plate academy graduate, he only broke into the senior side this season, but his displays in Argentina have drawn growing attention—now including from another Premier League side.
According to Spanish outlet Fichajes, Aston Villa have entered the race for Rivero. The 22-year-old has been added to the club’s defensive shortlist for January, with Unai Emery’s side viewing him as someone capable of competing for a first-team role immediately. His long-term potential also makes him an appealing investment.
River Plate are aware of the rising interest and will not allow him to leave cheaply. While Rivero has a €100 million release clause, the Argentine giants would entertain far lower bids. The report claims Villa are considering testing the waters with a €20 million offer in January. With Tottenham and Manchester City also monitoring the defender, Villa are keen to move fast.
Whether Spurs step up their pursuit remains unclear. Despite last month’s financial injection from the Lewis Family, it is uncertain whether Tottenham will commit significant funds to a relatively unproven South American prospect. If the price is manageable and Rivero pushes for a move, Spurs could re-enter the race—though securing his signature is far from guaranteed.
