Marca Claims Tottenham Pursuit of Adrián

Interesting report out of Spanish rumour outfit Marca, claiming that Tottenham Hotspur are pursuing Atletico Madrid forward Adrián. Adrián, 24, is coming off a 2011-12 season where he scored 19 goals in all competitions. The Asturian has a reported €18 million (£14.2 million) release clause from his current Atletico contract. The Rojiblancos have apparently offered Adrián a new contract with a higher release clause, but the attacker has been unwilling to sign.

Difficult to believe in the report is that Tottenham would treble Adrián's wages, as Tottenham Chairman Daniel Levy has kept a strict wage structure. However, Adrián does fit a need in new Spurs manager Andre Villas-Boas's system. Adrián traditionally played as a wide forward for Atletico, and could be looked upon to play opposite Gareth Bale. Adrián also has shown some versatility, playing as a second striker and more rarely an out and out striker.

The young forward would not fill Tottenham's need for a true number 9 striker, but would certainly provide an attacking option from wide that Tottenham has few of, especially with Giovani dos Santos likely to depart Spurs. The release clause provides a fair price for the rising attacker, and could be part of the overall youth movement that Jan Vertonghen and Gylfi Sigurdsson's arrival has already signaled.