Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly considering a formal approach for Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso.
Despite having made the decision to remove Antonio Conte from the dugout at the end of March, the Spurs hierarchy are no closer to finding a permanent replacement.
Cristian Stellini was sacked as interim boss after four games, while Ryan Mason has collected just one point from games against Manchester United and Liverpool.
Spurs now find themselves in a battle to finish in the top seven of the Premier League table, Champions League qualification realistically out of the question now that they trail fourth position by nine points with four games left.
The lack of clarity over next season may impact upon their efforts to attract a new head coach, although names have been linked with the vacant position.
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Feyenoord's Arne Slot has allegedly emerged as a candidate with the Dutch club on the brink of winning the Eredivisie title ahead of PSV Eindhoven and Ajax.
However, according to De Telegraaf, Spurs are more attracted to Alonso's vast high-profile experiences during his playing days.
In contrast to Slot spending his entire playing and managerial career in the Netherlands, Alonso has won domestic and Champions League titles in different countries.
Slot, who is 44 years of age, impressed during his year-and-a-half with AZ Alkmaar before guiding Feyenoord to the Europa Conference League final in 2021-22.
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Feyenoord being confirmed as Dutch champions would further enhance his stock, but Alonso is likely to be a man soon in demand after the impact he has made at Leverkusen.
The Spaniard has transformed a struggling - but vastly talented - squad from relegation possibilities to contenders for European qualification through the Bundesliga.
As well as now sitting in sixth place in Germany's top flight, Leverkusen are also in the semi-finals of the Europa League, where they will meet Roma.
In total, Alonso has won 17 of his 31 matches in charge, losing just seven times, and Spurs may face fierce competition from elsewhere if it materialises that the 41-year-old would considering leaving Leverkusen after less than a year in charge.
Darren Plant
