The London Evening Standard are reporting that Spurs could be priced out of a move for their number one defensive target, Mateo Musacchio, as River Plate - who own 35% of the player's rights - are insisting on getting more out of the deal for the Villarreal centre back. Up until a couple of days ago, as was understood by both the Daily Mirror and Sky Sports News, Spurs and Villarreal had agreed a £17 million fee for the two-time Argentina capped defender, but his former employers back in his home country have thrown a spanner in the works by insisting he goes for no less than £39 million in order to make the move worthwhile to them. Villarreal were believed to be resigned to losing Musacchio when the La Ligas club coach, Marcelino, admitted at the weekend that he expected the 23-year-old to depart for London sooner rather than later - and he had been pulled from training to avoid injury ahead of the potential move - but Spurs chairman Daniel Levy will now have to put on his famous negotiating hat or pull out of the deal completely, as there is no chance that Spurs will pay nearly £40 million for a centre back. Spurs are looking to make a full defensive reshuffle this summer and they have already brought in Michel Vorm as their second choice goalkeeper, Ben Davies as their new first choice left back and Eric Dier as a centre back for the future, but Musacchio was intended to be the marquee signing who would partner Belgian Jan Vertonghen at the heart of the Spurs defence. Whether or not anything will happen now is completely up in the air but, knowing Daniel Levy, we wouldn't call this deal dead just yet. What do you think of this hefty valuation of 23-year-old Mateo Musacchio? Would he be a good signing for Spurs? Let us know your thoughts on the matter in the comments section below. And please feel free to follow me on Twitter!
