Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly held talks with Julian Brandt in an effort to beat fellow Champions League finalists Liverpool to the signature of the Bayer Leverkusen winger.
Brandt has previously been linked with a move to the Premier League, and his form this season is understood to have only increased the interest from England, having scored nine goals and created 17 more.
The 23-year-old could still help Leverkusen to a top-four finish in the Bundesliga on the final day of the season, but he is expected to leave the club this summer regardless of whether they qualify for the Champions League.
Brandt still has two years remaining on his contract at the BayArena, but a clause in that deal means that he will be available for just £21.5m this summer.
SportBild reports that Spurs have now opened talks with the Germany international's father over a possible move, despite Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp holding a long-standing interest in the player.
Tottenham have not signed a single player in the past two transfer windows, but they are expected to bolster their squad this summer having reached the Champions League final for the first time.
Spurs are understood to view Brandt as a possible replacement for Christian Eriksen, whose future remains uncertain heading into the final year of his contract.
However, the Premier League duo could face competition for his signature from elsewhere, with Borussia Dortmund and Atletico Madrid having also been linked with the winger.
Barney Corkhill
