Tottenham Transfer News: Wilmar Barrios Linked in Latest Rumours

Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino is reportedly interested in Boca Juniors midfielder Wilmar Barrios and will use the FIFA World Cup to evaluate him this summer.

According to The Sun's Alan Nixon, Pochettino "wants a new defensive shield for his back four" and has been keeping an eye on Barrios' progress at Boca.

He will give him a closer look if he makes Colombia's final squad for this summer's tournament in Russia. The defensive midfielder is said to be valued at around £25 million.

The 24-year-old has made eight appearances for Colombia and has been included in their provisional squad for the upcoming tournament:

Barrios is a mobile and energetic presence in the centre of the pitch. According to Nixon, he would be a good fit under Pochettino because he is both combative and technically able.

The midfielder could be brought in to replace the likes of Victor Wanyama or Eric Dier this summer should either of them or one of Spurs' other midfield stars be allowed to leave.

Occasional football writer Jonny Sharples believes Moussa Sissoko could be on his way out of the club:

The France international should perhaps serve as a cautionary tale for the Lilywhites—they signed him for £30 million on the back of his performances at UEFA Euro 2016, which he attended despite his disappointing form for previous club Newcastle United. He has failed to justify such an investment.

Signing players off the back of international tournaments can be a risky strategy. Failure to perform well at the World Cup would do little to endear him to Spurs, but the more he impresses, the higher his price tag could become.

That's not to say it can't work out or that Barrios would not succeed in north London if he were to join. But Spurs can ill afford for another expensive purchase to struggle as they look to win silverware for the first time since 2008.