KEY POINTS

  • Fabrizio Romano bares Tottenham is close to signing Sevilla's Bryan Gil
  • Gil is coming off a sensational loan spell at Eibar
  • The 20-year-old has been compared by a Barca scout to Neymar

Tottenham could be close to signing one of La Liga’s most notable starlets.

Harry Kane is still Tottenham’s top priority this summer. However, it appears that the Spurs have been sticking to Daniel Levy’s plan to pursue a few worthy signings.

Among the players likely to head to north London first is Sevilla’s Bryan Gil, per exclusive report from renowned transfer insider Fabrizio Romano.

According to Romano, Tottenham and Sevilla are in the final stages of a swap deal involving Gil and Spurs’ Erik Lamela.

“Tottenham and Sevilla are finalizing a new swap deal: Erik Lamela to Sevilla, Bryan Gil to Spurs,” Romano tweeted. “Agreement set to be reached on permanent deal and here we go soon!”

“Sevilla will also receive €25m ($29 million) + add ons included as part of the deal,” he continued.

Gil's current contract with Sevilla is set to expire in 2023, while his loan deal with Eibar is due to end this summer.

Sevilla was not able to maximize Gil’s qualities, but at Eibar, the Spaniard propelled, having registered four goals and three assists in his maiden season with the club.

In Spain, Gil is among the country’s most sought-after young talents. In fact, Barcelona was keeping tabs on him before Tottenham made a move.

Primarily a midfielder, Gil is also capable of bagging goals and his fine form has convinced Barca that he could be the "new Neymar".

According to German “Mani” Vaya Ballabriga, the tenured Barcelona scout who also brought Andres Iniesta and Ansu Fati at Camp Nou, Gil is “the best footballer” in Spain at the moment and his game fairly resembles that of the Brazilian superstar.

Neymar's current contract expires in 2022 but PSG are hoping he will agree to extend his stay in the French capital
Neymar's current contract expires in 2022 but PSG are hoping he will agree to extend his stay in the French capital AFP / FRANCK FIFE

"Right now he is Spain's best footballer and I compare him with Neymar," Mani told Cadena SER's “Què T'hi Jugues” of Gil. "He can do certain things and has great versatility, as he can play at full-back in the middle or on the left-wing. It's impressive.”

Mani further revealed that he has been suggesting to pursue Gil “now” as the 20-year-old’s value will certainly shoot up once Sevilla manages to secure a fresh set of terms.

"I have spoken with (Barcelona technical secretary) Ramon Planes about him and he has Bryan Gil in mind,” he said. "If he is signed now then his release clause is €35 million ($42 million), but if he signs a new deal with Sevilla then he'll have a release clause worth €150 million ($182 million)."

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