OPINION
Tottenham’s barren summer transfer window has been well documented, but it appears as though their inability to sign anyone at all was not for a lack of effort in the market.
There was plenty of speculation around about who manager Mauricio Pochettino was chasing in the off-season as names such as Jack Grealish and Anthony Martial bandied about, although neither came to fruition.
Now there is a new name to add to that list of those chased by Spurs, with the Daily Mail claiming that the north London outfit failed in their approach for AS Monaco midfielder Youri Tielemans.
It is stated that the French side were not willing to play ball over selling the Belgian sensation who, at 21-years-old, already has 17 international caps to his name and 231 professional appearances under his belt for both Monaco and former side Anderlecht.
Touted as one of the next big names in world football, the central maestro is an energetic, terrier-like presence with a creative vision and attacking flair – and it is for that reason Tottenham must reignite their hunt and snap him up sooner rather than later.
Tielemans has found himself being used in a variety of roles in the French principality, from defensive midfield to a right winger, and while his skill set does make him a versatile player, he needs to be pegged down to one role.
Tottenham can offer him just that – working as a creative but industrial presence in the centre, helping the likes of Christian Eriksen in feeding the forward line while joining the likes of Harry Winks or Eric Dier in ridding the opposition of possession and mopping up in front of the defence.
His talent, not to mention his potential, makes him a top prospect to dazzle at Spurs, and with a bit of a Belgian cohort already in north London, he would fit right in under Pochettino.