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JUAN FOR ME

Could one of the stars of the World Cup be heading to north London this summer?

Porto-owned playmaker has earned comparisons with Argentine hero Riquelme while on loan at River Plate

Tottenham are interested in £22million Colombia playmaker Juan Quintero, after he impressed at the World Cup, according to reports.

Argentine Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino would have already known plenty about the River Plate star, even before he starred for the South Americans while James Rodriguez struggled with injury.


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Juan Quintero impressed at the World Cup

Getty Images - Getty
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Juan Quintero impressed at the World Cup

Quintero is owned by Porto but penned a one-year loan deal with River Plate in January that includes a buyout clause that Goal.com say Spurs could match.

And the River president Rodolfo D’Onofrio has warned his suitors that they will have to part with a hefty sum to land the midfielder ahead of his club.

D’Onofrio said: “I know of offers for Quintero. He is happy to be at River. If someone wants to take him, they will have to pay £22million.

“Let’s not take it out of context; the boy says he’s okay here.

England managed to keep Quintero quiet in Russia

Reuters
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England managed to keep Quintero quiet in Russia

Pochettino would also like the player Quintero has been drawing comparisons with.

Riquelme is a cult hero for his Boca Juniors and Villarreal performances and Quintero has been putting in similar performances.

And the River chief says there are similarities between the retired set-piece specialist and the new hot property.

Mauricio Pochettino is reportedly ready to move if the ace rejects a new contract at Dortmund

AFP
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Poch is on the look out

H said: “Juanfer reminds me of Riquelme.

“He is one of those players with peripheral vision, he looks to the right and he knows what happens to his left.

“He has shown little by little that he is a superlative player.”

Quintero began his career at  Colombian side Envigado before a move to Atletico Nacional and then several loan spells.

Porto gave him a home in 2013 ather parting with around £9m but he has struggled to hold down a spot, with just 64 games in five years.