Tottenham Hotspur are in a three-club race with Liverpool and Everton to sign Lazio ace Keita Balde, according to a Mirror report.
The newspaper claims both Liverpool and Everton have already had approaches for the £30million-rated star turned down by the Serie A outfit.
It is said Balde’s current deal expires next summer and he is refusing to sign a contract extension, as he holds out for a move to Italian champions Juventus.
The report states if the 22-year-old left-sided attacker does attempt to force through to Juventus, who are yet to make a bid, Lazio may have to lower their asking price.
Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino is keen on adding to his squad this summer, and if he can secure Balde’s services he would bring pace and goals to the side.
The Senegal international was a top performer for Lazio last term, scoring 16 goals in 31 Serie A appearances, as well as supplying five assists.
He joined Lazio’s academy in the summer of 2011 from Barcelona’s youth set up, and he broke into the first team two years later.
Balde is comfortable on the left-wing and as a second striker, and he has played 137 league and cup games for the club, which have yielded 31 goals and 27 assists.
The 22-year-old has been capped by Senegal on 12 occasions, and he featured in all four of their African Cup of Nations matches earlier this year.