Tottenham in rumored link to Diego Simeone’s son

Tottenham’s summer transfer spending might just commence with a move for River Plate and Genoa striker Giovanni Simeone, son of the Atletico Madrid manager Diego.

The move might come off as a bit curious, considering the fact that Tottenham need more and better depth elsewhere in the squad.

It is worth mentioning, though, that at present this rumor feels especially specious. It comes conveyed to us from 101 Great Goals, who themselves cite an Argentinian journalist by the Lucas Arujia. According to Arujia, Simeone is bound for England, with Tottenham among the rumored destinations.

Setting aside plausibility for the moment, let’s consider what Spurs might actually get from a move for Simeone.

For one, there’s the matter of pedigree. The elder Simeone was himself not a striker himself, but was no less influential in a box-to-box midfielder role with Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan, among other clubs. With any luck his grit and determination are genetic.

The younger Simeone only really appeared on the European footballing scene a year ago, when his boyhood club River Plate in Argentina sold him to Serie A side Genoa.

It wasn’t particularly difficult for Simeone to standout in his new environs. Genoa underwent a rebuilding year following the departure of coach Gian Piero Gasperini last summer, selling big names and recruiting replacements on the cheap. The Argentinian himself arrived for just €5 million, a fee paid back many times over with 12 goals that helped keep the Rossoblu alive last season.

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Now, as important as he was for Genoa last season, that doesn’t necessarily translate into the 22-year-old being important for Spurs in the future. One season in Serie A is not always the recipe for success in the Premier League.

That fact should be reflected in the price Genoa might ask for the young striker. If he can come cheap — and if Mauricio Pochettino sees real promise beyond his first season with Genoa — it might be the ideal kind of signing for Spurs.

Clearly neither Simeone or literally anyone else is going dislodge Harry Kane from the starting XI, but part of his value might also derive from the fact that he is also unlikely to threaten Vincent Janssen. The Dutch striker suffered a lackluster first season with Spurs, but even if Simeone joins he would confidently hold on to the number 2 spot in the striker depth chart.

That would mean Simeone gets a year or two to adjust to life in England — a luxury Janssen was not granted due to the lack of other strikers besides Kane — and can therefore grow into Pochettino’s system.

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Such a possibility might just make him a priority signing this summer, especially before other teams get desperate and begin to drive his price up.