Sergio Reguilon to Tottenham: Man United target set to join Spurs where he will be fans’ favourite but was once labelled a ‘simpleton’

Real Madrid defender Sergio Reguilon is set to snub Manchester United and complete a move to Tottenham.

Reguilon was voted the best left-back in LaLiga last season following a superb loan spell at Sevilla but appears to have little future at Real.

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Los Blancos are looking to sell to drum up funds and it is understood that Tottenham are set to spend £28million on the 23-year-old.

The Real Madrid defender missed training in the Spanish capital on Wednesday in order to put pen to paper on his move.

So who is Reguilon and what will be bring to north London?

Club career so far?

Rugilion joined Madrid's famed academy set-up in 2005, working his way up the ranks before eventually making his senior debut a decade later.

He was unable to forge his way into Real's first-team for a good few years, spending time on loan at Logrones.

Reguilon eventually made his professional debut in October 2018 against CSKA Moscow in the Champions League.

The Real Madrid youth product broke into the first team in the 2018/19 season when Santiago Solari was in charge, replacing Marcelo in the starting XI.

He was then loaned to Sevilla for the 2019/20 season, where he established himself as a huge fans favourite.

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How much is he likely to cost?

Real Madrid value Reguilon between £22m and £28m but his fine campaign last term could push that price-tag up.

Given his young age, any deal would likely involve a host of add-ons as is the way in modern football.

The defender has attracted interest from a number of top European clubs with Manchester United, Chelsea and Everton being linked with him for some time.

It would, however, appear that Tottenham have the upper hand at the moment.

International experience?

Reguilon made his senior international debut for Spain on Sunday when he featured in their 4-0 Nations League win over Ukraine.

The left-back had a fine performance until he suffered a nasty looking ankle injury in a collision with

Viktor Kovalenko that saw him limp out of the match.

The Spain national team Twitter account released an update stating the defender suffered an external sprain to his left ankle.

The 23-year-old took to social media to alleviate fears of a long-term injury. He said: “One week and like new.”

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What is being said?

While the transfer rumours at mounting, Reguilon insists he is looking to break into the Real first-team.

He said in July: “I was a bit sad [to leave Real on loan] but things like this happen in football. My conscience is clear because I knew I did my very best in every single match so that the team could do the very best.

“People in Real Madrid love me quite a lot and that’s something I value. It was a bit sad but I know that one day I will be able to succeed there.

"It’s a lot tougher because there’s a lot of competition. It’s not usual that a player from the academy gets to play for the first team and it’s even tougher for them to stay for the long term. I hope to be there some day.

“People think that just because I’m on a loan deal from Real Madrid I’m not going to play hard. I’m not a guy who does interviews, I speak on the field. I want the fans to judge me for what they see on the pitch."

Meanwhile, an unnamed former team-mates at UD Logrones told Marca last year. “When he arrived we laughed at him because he seemed like a bit of a simpleton.

"Now he sends us boots and tickets, after displacing the best left-back [Marcelo] of the last decade.

“Instead of giving us coffee, yoghurts and biscuits like everyone else, Sergio gave us good ham, prawns and a bit of wine. A gourmet - maybe that’s why he’s now at Madrid and the rest of us are in Segunda B,” another former Logrones team-mate told the same publication.