Spurs transfers: Get to know the ex-Barcelona talent Pochettino could target as Rose replacement

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Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly keen on Alejandro Grimaldo.

Manchester United’s Henrikh Mkhitaryan (L) vies with Benfica defender Alejandro Grimaldo

According to the front page of Portuguese newspaper Jornal de Noticias’ sport section over the weekend, Tottenham Hotspur are keen on Benfica defender Alejandro Grimaldo.

Spurs already appear to be out of the title race, given that they sit 21 points short of Premier League leaders Manchester City, but Mauricio Pochettino will still be keen on new additions to his squad as he pursues a top four place.

One of the issues that Tottenham may face regards the future of Danny Rose, given that the left back is wanted elsewhere and even hinted that he could be open to leaving the club earlier this season.

Subsequently, Spurs are being linked with replacement left backs, and the latest reported target is Benfica ace Grimaldo.

Some Spurs fans may not be too familiar with Grimaldo, so here are five facts about Pochettino’s latest alleged transfer target ahead of the January transfer window.

1. Grimaldo, 22, started his career in the youth ranks of hometown club Valencia, spending two years there before being snapped up by Barcelona in 2008.

2. A regular for the Barcelona B side with six goals in 92 games, Grimaldo was always highly rated in Catalunya, but wasn’t ever given his first-team debut by Barca.

3. With first-team opportunities not forthcoming, Grimaldo moved on to Benfica in 2015, and he has shown real potential with the Portuguese giants, notching two goals in 40 games, though he has endured injury problems at the Estadio da Luz.

4. A former Spain youth international with the Under-16’s, 17’s, 19’s and 21’s, Grimaldo may be in line for a senior call-up in the near future, where he would challenge the likes of Jordi Alba and Alberto Moreno.

5. Possessing blistering pace, Grimaldo is an attack-minded left back with a great engine, meaning he could fi the bill for Tottenham as a replacement for Rose in Pochettino’s back line.