Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly among the clubs plotting a swoop for Atletico Madrid midfielder Rodrigo De Paul.
The Argentine World Cup winner has struggled for regular starts under Diego Simeone at the Wanda Metropolitano this term and could be on his way out this summer.
De Paul has scored twice and provided four assists in 28 games across all competitions this term, but he has only featured from the first whistle 14 times in La Liga.
The Rojiblancos can afford to play hardball with De Paul under contract until the end of the 2025-26 season, but an intense scramble for his services could materialise this summer.
According to Inter Live, Tottenham are among the Premier League teams considering a move for the 28-year-old, who is also on the radar of Everton, Aston Villa and Brentford.
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Prior to his extended suspension from worldwide footballing activities, Spurs director Fabio Paratici apparently touched base with De Paul's agents with Daniel Levy's blessing.
With De Paul keen to play Champions League football at his next club, Tottenham are the best-placed of the English quartet to sign the midfielder, but the Lilywhites are far from guaranteed a top-four finish this season.
Furthermore, interest from Italy is also said to be rife, with both Inter Milan and AC Milan - who have been tracking him for a number of years - vying for his services.
A relatively modest fee of €30m (£26.3m) could be enough to convince Atletico to part ways with De Paul for good, although Simeone's side could also sanction a loan with an option or obligation to buy.
Juventus and Roma are also said to be keeping a close eye on developments, but the Old Lady's volatile economic situation could scupper a summer move for the former Udinese man.
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De Paul has amassed six goals and six assists in 76 outings for Atletico since joining from Udinese in 2021, but he is said to possess a frosty relationship with Simeone, whose own future in Madrid is the subject of much debate.
Despite his patchy form at club level this term, De Paul was a regular fixture in Argentina's World Cup-winning XI, starting every game as Lionel Scaloni's side lifted the trophy.
Tottenham will be without Rodrigo Bentancur for the next several months as he recovers from ACL surgery, which could render the Uruguayan lynchpin out until November in the worst-case scenario.
Summer signing Yves Bissouma is also working his way back from an ankle operation, meaning that Cristian Stellini has been left with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Oliver Skipp and Pape Sarr as his central options for the time being.
Tottenham occupy fifth place in the Premier League table and are next in action at home to Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday afternoon.
Ben Knapton
