Tottenham Hotspur have made signing a third new centre-back their number one priority before the end of the transfer window, according to a report.
The Lilywhites have already strengthened at the back with the captures of Ashley Phillips and Micky van de Ven, who joined from Blackburn Rovers and Wolfsburg respectively.
While 18-year-old Phillips is regarded as a prospect for the future, Van de Ven was thrown straight into the first XI for last weekend's opening Premier League draw with Brentford, partnering Cristian Romero in Ange Postecoglou's favoured 4-3-3.
However, Romero had to come off only a few minutes after breaking the deadlock at the Gtech Community Stadium due to a head injury, and the subsequent pairing of Van de Ven and Davinson Sanchez shipped two goals in quick succession.
Sanchez - who was criticised for his performance in that stalemate - is also expected to depart the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this summer, while Joe Rodon has already left on loan for Leeds United.
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Furthermore, the futures of Japhet Tanganga and Eric Dier are also clouded in uncertainty, and both men were left out of the squad for last weekend's London derby.
Dier is still contracted to Spurs until 2024 and will likely leave as a free agent if no club comes forward this summer, but Celtic are believed to be showing an interest.
Meanwhile, Inter Milan are thought to have opened talks over a move for Tanganga, who was previously linked with San Siro rivals AC Milan before then-manager Antonio Conte blocked his exit.
Despite the gaping hole up front following Harry Kane's move to Bayern Munich, Football Insider claims that another new centre-half is on the top of Postecoglou's wishlist.
Tottenham are supposedly planning to use their £86m Kane windfall on their search for more defensive reinforcements, and Bayer Leverkusen's Edmond Tapsoba is a prime target.
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The Burkina Faso international is believed to be rated at £50m by his current club, but West Ham United and Newcastle United are prepared to rival Spurs for his signature.
Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi was previously thought to be on the Lilywhites' radar, although Spurs baulked at his £60m asking price and turned their attentions to Van de Ven instead.
Another low-cost signing could present itself in the form of Fulham's Tosin Adarabioyo, who is due to become a free agent in 2024, but he is thought to prefer a move to Ligue 1 side Monaco.
Postecoglou takes charge of his first Premier League home game on Saturday evening, as Tottenham welcome Manchester United to North London in gameweek two of the 2023-24 season.
Ben Knapton
