Tottenham’s sporting director, Johan Lange, wants to bring a talented midfielder to Spurs in January, but another Premier League club are determined to win the race for the player.
Spurs have some talented young midfielders in their ranks in the form of Lucas Bervall, Archie Gray and Pape Sarr.
It has emerged that after the success of Gray and Bergvall, the Lilywhites are also looking to push through a deal for another rising teenage midfield star.
It first emerged last week that Tottenham have set their sights on Anderlecht starlet Nathan De Cat, who is turning a lot of heads with his performances in the Belgian top flight and Europe this season.
It has since been reported that other Premier League clubs may challenge Spurs for the 17-year-old Belgian, while a new update has now claimed that one club are particularly keen.
Aston Villa looking to ruin Tottenham attempt to sign Nathan De Cat
According to CaughtOffside, Lange is ‘pushing hard’ to bring De Cat to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with Spurs ‘actively pursuing’ the midfielder.
Brighton and Bayern Munich are also fans of the youngster, who has impressed scouts across Europe this season.
However, it is Lange’s old club, Aston Villa, who may pose the biggest challenge to Tottenham as they are particularly keen on De Cat.
In fact, it is asserted that Unai Emery’s men are now ‘preparing an ambitious move’ for the teenager as they look to reinforce their midfield core.
How much would Spurs have to pay to sign De Cat?
CaughtOffside say that Anderlecht remain firm in their stance that the Belgian Under-18 international will remain at the club until the end of the season.
However, the Jupiler Pro League club are willing to come to the negotiating table if a big offer arrives for De Cat.
Anderlecht want a €35m (£30m) package for De Cat, while Villa are readying an offer of around €22m–€25m (£19.3m-£22m) offer along with a sell-on clause and some bonuses.