According to reports from The Telegraph, Tottenham Hotspur are set to open contract talks with Mousa Dembele amid interest from Premier League rivals Chelsea.
The Belgium international hasn’t always been a guaranteed starter since joining the White Hart Lane ranks from Fulham in summer 2012. Despite initially showing promise during his debut campaign, the 28-year-old has spent the last two terms floating in and out of the side; before this season, 27 of his 85 Premier League appearances for the Lilywhites were from the bench.
But now featuring in an exciting midfield trio alongside youngsters Dele Alli and Eric Dier, Dembele is enjoying a renaissance as the cultured and experienced figure in the Spurs engine room. He’s averaged four tackles, 2.1 interceptions and three successful dribbles per match from his 10 Premier League starts this season, whilst recording an 87% pass completion rate.
The midfielder’s resurgence in form, combined with his contract encroaching upon its final 18 months, has recently attracted interest from long-term admirers Chelsea, who are looking to improve their midfield options following underwhelming starts to the season from Cesc Fabregas and Nemanja Matic.
The west Londoners are reportedly preparing a £20million bid for the January transfer window, but Dembele’s late performances have convinced manager Mauricio Pochettino that he’s worthy of another contract.
Tottenham are also looking to open talks with Nacer Chadli and Jan Vertonghen over new deals according to The Telegraph, but securing Dembele’s long-term future in north London remains the priority.