[ad_pod ]

Boca Juniors midfielder Wilmar Barrios is not a target for Tottenham despite reports suggesting otherwise, ESPN reports.

What's the word?

With Tottenham set to lose Mousa Dembele at the end of the season when his contract expires and question marks hanging over the head of Victor Wanyama, Spurs' interest in a World Cup midfielder was understandable.

Reports from South America claimed that Spurs have outlined a deal for Colombia international Wilmar Barrios to bring the 25-year-old to the Premier League in January, having initially expressed interest in a deal back in the summer.

However, ESPN sources indicate that Tottenham have not held talks with the player, did not eye a deal in the close-season window and do not have Barrios on their wish-list for additions in January.

Is this a mistake?

As mentioned, the futures of Dembele and Wanyama both look set to lie away from North London and further concerns about Spurs' midfield depth have been raised by reports linking Barcelona with a move for Eric Dier.

[brid autoplay="true" video="310054" player="12034" title="Rafa's Pub Facts Fake Madrid & Ross Barkley Emulates... David Ngog"]

With so many questions about Spurs' midfield in the long-term, signing a player like Barrios would have provided a necessary boost to Mauricio Pochettino's side that would relieve some of the pressure ahead of those potential departures.

Capped 17 times by Colombia, Barrios has the experience to be a useful option for Tottenham and Pochettino may be making a grave mistake if he does not swoop for the 25-year-old as part of his January plans.