Tottenham could be ready to make their next move in attack amid a potential £25.7m bid for a player who made the quarter-finals of the World Cup.
After De Zerbi revealed last week that improving the attack is now Tottenham’s main priority, several big names have been linked with a move to North London, particularly after the Italian teased supporters by claiming another ‘bomba’ is on its way.
Spurs have been working on a deal for Cody Gakpo, who is reportedly open to making the switch, but Liverpool remain reluctant to sell him and would only reconsider if their ‘premium’ valuation is met.
That figure is understood to be around £72m, with Fabrizio Romano recently putting the chances of a move at 50-50.
Tottenham have also explored several alternatives, including Omar Marmoush, Victor Osimhen and Ferran Torres, and another name has now emerged as a potential option for De Zerbi’s attack.
Tottenham in three-way race for Bilal El Khannouss
According to GiveMeSport, Tottenham are one of three Premier League clubs showing an interest in Bilal El Khannouss, with Newcastle United and Crystal Palace also keeping tabs on the versatile Stuttgart forward.
The 22-year-old was already linked with Spurs 12 months ago, before joining Stuttgart on loan from Leicester City, where he impressed with 9 goals in 41 appearances, earning a permanent move and a contract until 2029.
Despite that, an exit this summer is still reportedly possible, and Tottenham have already made ‘initial contact’ with both the player’s representatives and Stuttgart to establish what a potential deal would look like.
Spurs are reportedly prepared to bid €30m (£25.7m), plus add-ons, but Stuttgart are under no pressure to sell, especially after tying him down on a long-term contract just under 3 months ago.
The Bundesliga club are believed to value the Moroccan International between €40m and €50m (£34.3m to £42.9m), and would not consider a loan or an agreement with an optional purchase clause at a lower figure.
Any deal would therefore need to involve either a substantial upfront payment or a binding obligation to buy.
Why a deal for Victor Osimhen could prove difficult
Victor Osimhen remains another name on Tottenham’s radar, although a deal for the Galatasaray striker could prove considerably more complicated.
Reports from Turkey last week claimed that Spurs had submitted a £55m offer for the Nigeria international, but Galatasaray are holding out for £65m after he finished last season as their leading goalscorer with 22 goals in 33 appearances.
The transfer fee is not the only issue, either, as Tottenham would first need to make room for Osimhen by selling either Dominic Solanke or Richarlison, both to free up a place in the squad and create sufficient room on the wage bill.
Osimhen currently earns around €360,000 (£309,000) per week before tax in Turkey, but his take-home pay would drop significantly in England due to the higher tax rate.
Tottenham would therefore have to offer considerably more than his current salary to match his existing earnings.