Tottenham are showing strong interest in Southampton midfielder Victor Wanyama after stepping up their chase for Holland forward Vincent Janssen, understands.
Wanyama has only 12 months remaining on his contract and is thought to be keen on a move to White Hart Lane after working successfully with Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino at Saints.
Tottenham tried to sign Wanyama last summer only to be rebuffed – even though they were prepared to offer either Andros Townsend or Erik Lamela at the end of August.
Pochettino wants a stronger central midfield as he prepares for a season of Champions League football and believes Wanyama, 24, would slot into his squad perfectly.
The Harambee Stars skipper could operate either in the holding role – usually fulfilled by Eric Dier – or as the more dynamic of the two central midfielders.
Mousa Dembele is suspended for the first four matches of the new Premier League season and Spurs will need a strong replacement, especially as they lost the last two games of last term when the Belgian started his six-match ban for scratching the eye of Chelsea forward Diego Costa.
-standard.co.uk