Tottenham Hotspur are eyeing a move for a La Liga marksman who has set Spanish football alight at the start of the season, but the deal will not be easy to do.
Thomas Frank has been managing a tricky centre-forward situation at Spurs this season, with Dominic Solanke and Randal Kolo Muani currently out with injuries.
That has meant that Richarlison has had to endure a heavy workload while Mathys Tel has started two Premier League games so far.
It was reported by Fichajes last week that Tottenham may enter the market for another striker in January and have set their sights on a 21-year-old who has been doing special things in Spain at the start of the campaign.
Tottenham face roadblocks in pursuit of Karl Etta Eyong
The player in question is Levante’s Karl Etta Eyong, who has hit the limelight in La Liga, scoring five goals and providing three assists in eight league matches this term.
The report in Fichajes named Tottenham Hotspur as one of three Premier League clubs eyeing a move for the youngster, alongside Chelsea and Man United.
Journalist Pete O’Rourke has now revealed that Barcelona have also entered the race for Eyong, but he has claimed that Villarreal have an option to buy back the striker, which potentially complicates a January sale.
When asked about the future of the Levante striker, O’Rourke told Football Insider: “It would be hard to do a deal in January. Four goals and three assists in seven La Liga appearances, that’s what’s brought Karl Etta Eyong onto the radar of the likes of Tottenham, Chelsea, Manchester United and now Barcelona as well.
“Villarreal have an option in there to buy him back as well. That complicates things as well. I don’t think Levante will be looking to lose him mid-way through the season, because they probably will need Eyong’s goals if they are to avoid relegation from La Liga.”
Could a Spurs striker be on his way out in January?
With Kolo Muani, Solanke, Richarlison and Tel at Frank’s disposal, signing a number nine is not likely to be high on the Dane’s priority list in January.
However, there is a possibility that one of those players could leave, and there have been rumours that Crystal Palace and other clubs are eyeing a move for Richarlison.
The former Everton man is also said to be attracting interest from Brazil, and it has been asserted that an offer of £17m would be enough to convince Spurs to sell Richarlison in the upcoming transfer window.