According to the print edition of Record (as relayed by Sport Witness), Tottenham Hotspur have now moved to the front of the queue to secure Benfica centre-back Morato next summer.
Spurs secured the services of Radu Dragusin from Genoa last month while letting Eric Dier join Bayern Munich, and it has now emerged that the North London side are already plotting further reinforcements to their backline next summer.
Tottenham are looking at Benfica defender Morato
Record say that the Lilywhites are keen on securing the services of Morato, who has won a lot of admirers with his displays for Benfica this season.
It is alleged that Spurs face competition from Fulham and Nottingham Forest, both of whom failed with previous attempts to sign the centre-back.
However, the outlet says that the North London side has now moved into pole position to secure the Brazilian ahead of the two other Premier League sides.
The publication points out that Morato is protected by a €100m (£85.3) release clause but it is not revealed how much Benfica would demand of the player.
It is further explained that the Portuguese club may sell centre-back Antonio Silva next summer, which would only make them even more determined to hold onto the Tottenham target.
Spurs Web Opinion
Tottenham may not find it easy to bring a big-name centre-back through the door next summer, given the option that Postecoglou has at his disposal. The club might need to pursue a younger option or perhaps Ange can even decide that Ashley Phillips is ready for a first-team role.