Tottenham transfer rumours and news: Ezequiel Lavezzi, Michy Batshuayi and Adalberto Penaranda linked with moves to White Hart Lane

Granada youngster Adalberto Penaranda catches the eye, Ezequiel Lavezzi could choose White Hart Lane over the Emirates, Marseille do not want to part with Michy Batshuayi, Andros Townsend on the way out

Ever heard of Adalberto Penaranda? No, us either, but rather than indulge each other in our mutual ignorance, let us be enlightened by The Sun, who claim that the Venezuelan ‘wonderkid’ is being chased by Tottenham Hotspur.

According to their report, Mauricio Pochettino faces competition from Liverpool for the striker, who became Granada’s youngest ever player when he made his debut for the club in November against Athletic Bilbao.

The 18-year-old has scored three goals in his eight appearances for the La Liga club so far this season – that despite being, and we quote, “incredibly shot” while in Venezuela last year. Penaranda was hospitalised with a bullet in thigh after a shooting at a party which he was attending with friends.

Staying on a South American angle, Tottenham have also been linked with Ezequiel Lavezzi, whose contract at Paris Saint-Germain expires at the end of the season.

You might think that would make a January move unlikely, but not according to Metro, who believe the Argentinian international will also be chased by Arsenal and Inter.

Another Ligue 1 player linked with White Hart Lane is Michy Batshuayi, who has been in impressive form for Marseille this season, scoring 14 goals in 25 games.

Newcastle United are also believed to be monitoring the striker but, given their chase for Champions League football is alive and well, Spurs are believed to have the advantage in negotiations.

Naturally, Marseille boss Michel is hoping to hold on to his goalscorer. “You want to kill me!” he is quoted as saying by the Mirror. “I don't think about Michy leaving.

“If we're going to sign anyone it'll be an addition, not a replacement,” which seems self-evident. We’ll put that down to a mistranslation.

On the way out is Andros Townsend, who will soon bring a miserable few months to an end by joining one of the several Premier League clubs chasing his signature.

According to the Mail, Newcastle, Sunderland, Aston Villa, Southampton and Watford are all sniffing around the 24-year-old England international, who faces a struggle if he is to make Roy Hodgson’s squad for Euro 2016.

Townsend has been out of Pochettino’s reckoning ever since his fall-out with fitness coach Nathan Gardiner and was left out of the squad for Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Everton.