Tottenham and West Ham are reportedly keeping track of 19-year-old Bolivian international Leonardo Zabala, who debuted for his country before his club Santos.
According to Planet Sport, the London-based clubs are eyeing the South American as a potential signing for their U-23 sides, with Zabala likely to qualify as an international signing despite stern Brexit rules clamping down on foreign signings.
The teenager has already played for Bolivia’s senior team, with Zabala expected to feature for Santos ahead of the Brazil Serie A season, with the youngster currently the club’s only left-sided defender as per Diario do Litoral.
With Brexit rules in full effect for Premier League clubs, new avenues are being explored as a way to bring foreign talent to the United Kingdom, and one route which is likely to become common for English teams is South America.
Brighton and Hove Albion have already used this region of the world to sign the likes of Ecuadorian talent Moises Caicedo, with the Seagulls also coming close to signing Paraguayan international Julio Enciso this January.
And now, Tottenham and West Ham look to be making similar moves, with Zabala being eyed by both Premier League clubs ahead of the summer transfer window, where the defender could by then be a regular for Santos.
Zabala could start transfer war between Tottenham and West Ham
South America and other continents such as North America and Asia are on course to become central hubs for Premier League transfer activity given Brexit rules, and for Zabala, he could well become the centre of attention for Tottenham and West Ham.
At 19 and already a full international for Bolivia, Zabala is clearly a talented defender who could become a staple for the South American nation for years to come. And with Santos likely to use him this season, the youngster could develop leaps and bounds in the coming months, much to the joy of both Tottenham and West Ham.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
