The €15m midfield ace who will help Tottenham put one over on their rivals:

Tottenham have started strong this season, surging into the top four, but Andre Villas-Boas is anything but complacent.

Whilst their North London rivals, Arsenal have sat still thus far in the January transfer market, Spurs have already signed German wunderkind, Lewis Holtby. He’s a player that has won numerous plaudits for his all action displays in the Bundesliga and has a big future at both International and club level.

He’s a great signing and could potentially be the ideal replacement for Luka Modric, who left last season.

Still, Tottenham don’t seem content. According to French publication, L’Equipe, Spurs have opened talks with Montpellier midfielder, Younes Belhanda.

Belhanda, a Morrocan international is extremely well thought of in Ligue 1. Indeed, last season, he and Olivier Giroud were the catalyst for Montpellier winning the French title and Belhanda’s efforts saw him named France’s Young Player of the Year. Not a bad 12 months by any means.

If his form has suffered somewhat this season, it’s probably due to Montpellier’s decline in quality and PSG’s rise to prominence in France. Yet, he’s still the main man at Montpellier, as the Arsenal fans who saw him slot home a ‘Panenka’ penalty against them in Champions League group stages earlier this season will attest.

It’s thought that Fenerbache have already agreed terms with the player, but that Montpellier are holding out for more money (€15m!). Arsenal are also watching how the situation is developing and may chance their arm on their second Montpellier player in six months.

But it’s Spurs who should look to win this particular transfer battle. From this point on, it’s up to Tottenham to cement their position as a top four club. You don’t do that by sitting still, as in this League, complacency can be a killer. To keep pace with the pack, Villas-Boas will need to make some smart additions.

Younes Belhanda, with his quick feet, smart passing and direct running will certainly add something to this squad. In the next 2-3 years, like Lewis Holtby, he could develop into a very special player indeed. There’s every chance that by 2015 (or so) he’ll have double his price-tag.

In that sense, the time’s right for Spurs to try and sign this player. That would really put one over on the old rivals, who seem to be letting this season pass them by.

What’s your take? Should Tottenham snap up Younes Belhanda?

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