Spurs tracking Brazilian Copa America golden boot winner

Will Ford

Tottenham are reportedly tracking Brazil and Gremio forward Everton Soares, as Mauricio Pochettino looks to South America for reinforcements.

Spurs’ chief scout Steve Hitchen recently cast an eye over the 23-year-old during Gremio’s Copa Libertadores semi-final first-leg against Flamengo, reports Sky Sports.

And Everton – who was of interest to clubs including Arsenal in the summer – assisted the goal in a 1-1 draw to set up an enticing second leg this Thursday.

Everton – who plays predominantly from the left but can operate anywhere across the front line – won the golden boot for Brazil in their Copa America triumph in the summer, scoring three goals.

Spurs are still on the hunt for new forwards – having tried to sign the Juventus star Paulo Dybala in the summer – and the deal could be done soon with the Brazilian domestic season finishing ahead of the January transfer window.

Hitchen will also have seen 23-year-old centre-forward Gabriel Barbosa – on loan from Inter Milan – in action.

The Flamengo striker was the top scorer last year while on loan at Santos and recently returned to the Brazil squad after three years of being overlooked.

Barbosa is set to return to Inter on January 1, where he is still under contract until 2022 but has struggled for first-team games.

Hitchen’s trip also included games between Boca Juniors and Newell’s Old Boys, and San Lorenzo and Banfield in Argentina – as he works to refresh Tottenham’s squad.

Christian Eriksen, Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen are in the final year of their contracts.