Tottenham leading race for 'the next Cristiano Ronaldo' ahead of Liverpool and Arsenal: report

Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton & Hove Albion at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on February 10, 2024 in London, England.
(Image credit: Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)

Tottenham Hotspur might be about to land a Portuguese superstar who has compared his game to Cristiano Ronaldo's.

The Lilywhites are within touching distance of the top four following a thrashing of Aston Villa last weekend, as they eye an instant return to Europe. Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou has been a little light on the wings, however, and may seek to address that this summer. 

They face competition for one star, however, with Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City and Newcastle United all touted as potential suitors for one highly-rated winger.

Tottenham face transfer battle with Liverpool and Arsenal

Wolverhampton Wanderers winger Pedro Neto.

Wolverhampton Wanderers winger Pedro Neto is enjoying a strong season (Image credit: Getty Images)

Pedro Neto would find Champions League football very appealing if a bid came in from any one of a number of Premier League clubs who have been linked with his signature this summer.

The winger – who cites countryman Ronaldo as his biggest influence – has enjoyed a particularly fruitful breakout season this year, with 11 assists and three goals in 23 appearances in all competitions.

That means that despite his name being Scandinavian for value, 24-year-old Neto’s signature would come with a hefty price tag attached: claims last month emerged that Wolves would be willing to sanction a move for a bid in the region of £50-60m.

: Gary O'Neil, Manager of Wolverhampton Wanderers, looks on prior to the Premier League match between Sheffield United and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Bramall Lane on November 04, 2023 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by Jack Thomas - WWFC/Wolves via Getty Images)

Wolves would likely be open to selling Neto for a big profit (Image credit: Getty Images)

And Football Insider claim that Tottenham are currently leading the way in pursuing the Portuguese international, thanks to their current push to finish in the top four under Ange Postecoglou. We’re not quite sure of their logic there given that three of the other clubs they claim to be interested in Neto are currently locked in a title fight.

The line is nonetheless that qualifying for the Champions League would make Spurs a very attractive prospect to a player who now feels ready to test himself at a higher level.

They add that Liverpool and Arsenal, in particular, could rival Spurs’ interest in Neto this summer, with the Gunners said to have considered a move in 2022. Tottenham currently sit two points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa with a game in hand having run out four-goal winners at Villa Park on Sunday lunchtime.

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‘He speaks about football and about life - and he tells us some stories that stay inside our dressing room…’ Tottenham star Guglielmo Vicario on what working with Ange Postecoglou is REALLY like

Steven Chicken

Steven Chicken has been working as a football writer since 2009, taking in stints with Football365 and the Huddersfield Examiner. Steven still covers Huddersfield Town home and away for his own publication, WeAreTerriers.com. Steven is a two-time nominee for Regional Journalist of the Year at the prestigious British Sports Journalism Awards, making the shortlist in 2020 and 2023.

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