Tottenham Hotspur wanted Rodrigo De Paul over the summer and it sounds like his time with Atletico Madrid is coming towards its end.
It was no great secret that Tottenham wanted to add another midfielder during the summer transfer window.
A number of names were linked but Fabio Paratici chose to bring in Yves Bissouma from Brighton and Hove Albion.
Bissouma has yet to nail down a regular starting spot with Tottenham and one of Tottenham’s summer targets could be axed soon.
Tottenham Hotspur wanted Rodrigo De Paul
Paratici unsurprisingly had one eye on the Italian market as Tottenham chased new signings.
Tuttomercatoweb reported in July that Tottenham had made an approach to sign Rodrigo De Paul from Atletico Madrid.
It was suggested that Spurs and Fiorentina had both made moves from De Paul, but he turned them down in favour of staying with Atletico.
De Paul may just live to regret making that decision.
The Argentinian playmaker has started just five La Liga games this season and has played just 99 minutes of action since the international break.
Marca now claim that Atletico fans have been whistling De Paul, seemingly unhappy with his performances.
The big problem is that De Paul has sparked controversy by asking for days off for ‘personal reasons’ after the international break, but was spotted at the Billboards Gala in Miami.
It’s claimed that the tension between player and club is now at breaking point and De Paul’s situation with Atletico is unsustainable, with a January exit now touted.
De Paul, 28, is a very creative midfield player who knows Cristian Romero from international duty with Argentina.
Tottenham do lack a creative spark in midfield and De Paul could fit the bill, but that trip to Miami is something that may just put Antonio Conte off.
Conte needs total commitment, just like Diego Simeone with Atletico, and it now feels unlikely that Tottenham will make a new move after being spurned just three months ago.
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