Tottenham Hotspur scouts appear to have gone across the Atlantic in pursuit of their next signing this January...

What's the word?

According to 90min, Spurs are one of several Premier League teams monitoring the progress of Cruz Azul midfielder Orbelin Pineda, who was close to signing for Manchester City back in 2016 before electing for the Mexican outfit in a £10m deal.

It's claimed that no fewer than seven sides have sent scouts to watch the 24-year-old in action this season, including arch-rivals Arsenal and Wolves.

Pineda enters the final 12 months of his current contract in Mexico City, thus opening the prospect of that long-awaited move abroad.

Wing upgrade?

On the face of it, another winger is the last thing that Spurs need right now. However, their heavy reliance on the red-hot form of prolific duo Heung-min Son and Harry Kane will only stretch so far.

No other player in N17 has scored more than one goal in the Premier League this term - Gareth Bale, Tanguy Ndombele and Lucas Moura all have one goal whilst Erik Lamela and Steven Bergwijn are yet to find the net, per WhoScored.

Pineda could well resolve the issue, even if it's a very nice one to have.

Per FBref, the versatile Mexican attacker averaged 0.73 shots on target per 90 minutes during the 2019/20 campaign and also managed a goal contribution of at least 0.33 in each of his last two seasons.

By comparison, Moura could only muster up an average 0.53 shots on target per 90 last season and has never bettered Pineda's goal contribution per 90 since signing for Spurs.

In 2016, Chivas coach Matias Almeyda hailed his abilities, he said, via ESPN: "He's one of those players that has to end up in a great European club. He has the talent and the attributes."

Whilst Goal.com just a year later touted Pineda as one of Mexico's breakout talents, claiming that he is 'strong in the middle of the field and adept at winning back balls early' and how he 'also can help start attacks with passes and has a good shot of his own.'

As someone who can play on either wing, through the middle and even as a number eight, Mourinho should relish the opportunity to secure the 24-year-old.

You can already see the money signs in Daniel Levy's eyes as he'll be tapping into the South American market once again in the hope it replicates Son's marketing influence in Asia.

AND in other news, Exclusive: Spurs icon sends message to Jose Mourinho about Dele Alli...