According to The Daily Telegraph, Tottenham Hotspur are interested in signing Youcef Atal from Nice in the summer transfer window.
The paper claims that Spurs have made enquiries about the right-back, who will cost at least £34 million.
Atal is one of the best young defenders in France, and there is no surprise that Tottenham are reportedly interested in the 22-year-old.
The Algeria international can also operate as a winger, offering versatility and the ability to cover a number of positions.
Atal has made 21 starts and four substitute appearances in Ligue 1 for Nice this season, scoring six goals in the process.
The right-back has made 2.4 tackles, 1.7 interceptions and 1.3 clearances per game, and has also put in 0.4 crosses per game.
The youngster only joined Nice from Paradou AC in 2018, and reported interest from Tottenham in him is a testament to his calibre and talent.
Kieran Trippier and Serge Aurier are the two specialist right-backs at Spurs at the moment, and if they sign Atal, then one or both of them will have to leave.
Both players have their strengths and weaknesses, and it will be interesting to see which of them gets the boot from manager Mauricio Pochettino.
It could well be Aurier, who has struggled for Tottenham since his move from French giants Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2017.
The 26-year-old Ivory Coast international has failed to establish himself as the first-choice right-back at Tottenham, who will not miss him much should they decide to cash in on him this summer.
Tottenham’s reported interest in Atal also raises doubt over Kyle Walker-Peters, who is also 22 years of age and operates as a right-back.
Perhaps Pochettino does not rate the English youngster too highly.
However, Trippier was also recently linked with a move away from north London having also struggled at times this season, so both he and Aurier could be about to leave.
