Tottenham Hotspur continues their youth movement, signing a 19-year-old Argentine center back, Juan Marcos Foyth, to a five-year contract. After impressing with the U-20 Argentina national team, Foyth caught the eye of Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino. The Argentine skipper convinced his countryman with the continued movement towards youth in North London. Pochettino's offer was in direct competition with Ligue 1 side Paris Saint-Germain for the youngster, but the youngster chose to follow his fellow countryman's advice and move to the Premier League side.
The 10.8 Million Dollar Transfer is just another check as Spurs spend their budget at the close of the window.
We are delighted to announce the signing of Juan Foyth from Estudiantes. ✍️#WelcomeFoyth pic.twitter.com/PAc2VuBkpn
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) August 30, 2017
Top flight experience
Foyth made his top flight debut for Estudiantes de LP on March 19, 2017 - and played in a total of 7 matches in Superliga play, with two further appearances in the Copa Sudamericana. With such limited top flight experience, it is hard to determine how Pochettino convinced Spurs Chairman Daniel Levy to write a $10.8 Million check to the Argentine club.
International experience
However, Foyth's national team experience with the U-20 Argentine national team shows that he is a hard nosed center back that will help bolster the youth movement currently being displayed in Tottenham.
In 12 caps, Foyth has logged 993 minutes of international duty with the Under 20 squad. He received three cautions in the Sudoamericano competition in 9 matches. He also saw time in Argentina's three U-20 World Cup matches in 2017. With what appears to be a hard-nosed temperament as a center back, Foyth's youth international experience should help make up for his lack of top flight experience with the club of his youth.
More sign-ups
Tottenham has been busy signing players at the end of the summer transfer window. Levy opened the wallet to purchase Columbian national team center back Davinson Sanchez from Dutch side Ajax for $54 million. Further, 25-year-old Argentine goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga signed with Spurs from Southampton. The backup goalkeeper spent the 2016-2017 with Spanish Second Division side Rayo Vallecano, on loan from Southampton.
Yahoo! Sports further reports that Paris Saint-Germain defender Serge Aurier has been granted a UK Work Permit, opening the door for Spurs to close the deal for the Ivory Coast International. The same article reports that Aurier is expected to cost Spurs nearly $30 million.