OPINION
Despite the January transfer window only just shutting closed, Tottenham are reportedly already honing in on a summer target that would be perfect for the club.
As reported by the Daily Mail, Spurs are plotting a summer swoop for Watford midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure, after Mauricio Pochettino was left very impressed by the 25-year-old during a scouting mission.
Pochettino was in attendance as the Hornets thrashed defending champions Chelsea 4-1 on Monday, and it looks as though we now know why he was there.
The Mail claim that Hornets are expecting the Premier League’s big clubs to come in for the 25-year-old at the end of the season, with Arsenal and Liverpool also interested.
It is said that Watford will attempt to tie Doucoure down to a new deal worth more than £60,000-a-week soon, and will demand more than the club-record £20million received for Odion Ighalo last year.
And, at £20million, or thereabouts, Doucoure would be a snip for Spurs.
The French midfielder has only just turned 25, and therefore has a few years of development left in him.
He has already shown significant improvement during his time at Watford, going from a squad member to becoming one of the club’s best players.
Working under Pochettino would make him even better, and he would provide Spurs with the midfield boost they have needed all year.
Doucoure has been in the form of his life this season for Watford, with the central midfielder bagging seven league goals already, which has already eclipsed his personal best.
The fact that those goals have come from a deep-lying midfield role makes it all the more impressive, with Doucoure also chipping in with three assists as he rips up the Premier League.
In contrast, Spurs have struggled badly in central midfield this season.
Eric Dier has probably been their most consistent performer, but he has had his fair share of poor games.
Mousa Dembele is showing the kind of form that made him one of the most promising players in the Premier League, but the Belgian is showing his age with several injury setbacks this campaign.
Victor Wanyama has only just come back from a serious knee injury, and despite scoring an absolute screamer against Liverpool, still does not look up to speed at all.
And Harry Winks, for so long paraded as Spurs’ midfield saviour earlier this season, is struggling with injury and form in recent weeks.
Doucoure has missed just one game this season – through suspension – and shows no sign of slowing down.
His all-round contributions for Watford have been outstanding, and he could be the missing piece in the Spurs midfield.
He has a good passing range, he loves a tackle, and he scores goals regularly.
What more could you want from a central midfielder?
Pochettino must recognise his value and move quickly to secure his signature, because there will no doubt be other sides circling as well.