• Premier League

Pochettino eyes Villarreal defender Musacchio

Musacchio has emerged as Tottenham's latest target © AP

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Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has targeted Villarreal defender Mateo Musacchio in a bid to bolster his defensive options.

Pochettino has acquired Ben Davies, Michel Vorm and Eric Dier so far this summer, while he has been heavily linked with a move for Southampton duo Jay Rodriguez and Morgan Schneiderlin.

But Musacchio is said to be Tottenham's latest target with a reported £17m fee required to complete the deal and Villarreal coach Marcelino seems resigned to losing his central defender.

"It's a situation with three parties: the player, the buyer and the club in the middle and, as I have said many times, if the club sell an important player it's because the right conditions to do so have been met," said Marcelino.

"Mateo is a very important player for Villarreal. He's an excellent player and will be a difficult loss to cover, especially as he plays in a tough position to reinforce."

Goalkeeper Vorm, who signed from Swansea, would certainly recommend switching to Spurs. He has been allowed an extended break following his involvement in the Netherland's squad at the World Cup and says he is relishing the chance to play at White Hart Lane this season.

"I played against the lads here in the Premier League and I think it's a team with a lot of quality," Vorm told the clubs official website.

"I've already heard great stories about the manager and all the players so for me it's just looking forward to a whole new experience to be at a top team and a top club. It's a new challenge and I'm really looking forward to it.

"It's one of the best clubs in the Premier League and I'm very pleased to be here and I'm looking forward to joining the boys in training."

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