Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly ready to outbid Real Madrid for the services of Sevilla centre-back Jules Kounde.
Los Blancos have already waved goodbye to club legend Sergio Ramos - now of Paris Saint-Germain - while Raphael Varane continues to be linked with a move to Manchester United.
Carlo Ancelotti's side have been tipped to swoop for Kounde as a result, but with his Sevilla deal not due to expire until 2024, Los Palanganas are in a strong position when it comes to negotiating a fee.
According to Sport, Tottenham are willing to offer as much as €60m (£51.2m) for Kounde - a figure that Real Madrid are unable to match given their current financial state.
However, a lack of Champions League football could threaten Tottenham's pursuit of Kounde, with London rivals Chelsea supposedly hoping to take advantage and jump to the head of the queue.
The defender was selected for France's Euro 2020 squad but played only one game before the reigning world champions suffered a shock exit to Switzerland in the last-16 stage.
Ben Knapton
