Benfica winger Eduardo Salvio set for summer Spurs switch?

Tottenham, 20/1 with Coral to to lift the Europa League, could turn to Benfica attacker Eduarda Salvio if Jay Rodriguez proves too difficult to poach from Southampton.

Spurs coach Maurico Pochettino is apparently interested in bringing speedy compatriot Salvio to White Hart Lane in a bid to upgrade his options on the wings.

Crafty Christian Eriksen and Erik Lamela are Tottenham’s current first choice duo to start out wide, but Spurs do lack traditional width on the flanks.

With potent playmaker Eriksen providing his best performances centrally, Aaron Lennon shipped off to Everton on loan and Pochettino seemingly unconvinced by Nacer Chadli and Andros Townsend, the north London club could snare Salvio this summer.

Pochettino was previously believed to have held a long-standing interest in luring Saints star Rodriguez to Spurs, but his former charge could instead opt to join current Premier League champions Manchester City or Liverpool.

With so much competition for rapid Rodriguez, who is yet to return from a long injury lay-off, Argentina-capped attacker Salvio, who could potentially provide more end product than Lamela, is expected to top Tottenham’s wishlist.

The swashbuckling Benfica star, 24, has contributed seven league goals and six assists so far this season, and is supposedly valued at around £25m.

A £48m release clause was reportedly scrapped earlier this season but, just like Portuguese giants Porto, the Lisbon-based club are notorious for slapping eyewatering pricetags on their prize assets, so Spurs should not expect a swoop to be simple.

Previously linked with Brendan Rodgers’ Reds, ex-Atletico Madrid man Salvio could benefit from proposed changes to Premier League rules for non EU-players, which could see a mooted move become much easier.

Despite being rated as a potential future La Albiceleste star by Coral writers, Salvio has made just five Argentina appearances, which could cause work permit problems.