Report: Tottenham Hotspur to use Mousa Dembele as Fabian Delph bait

Tottenham Hotspur will reportedly use Mousa Dembele in their move for Aston Villa midfielder Fabian Delph.

Dembele is widely expected to leave White Hart Lane in January after struggling to hold down a first-team spot this season.

Stoke City have been strongly linked with the Belgian, but according to The Mirror, Spurs will offer the 27-year-old to Villa in exchange for Delph.

Delph, 25, has broken into the England set-up this season and is now widely regarded as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League.

A number of clubs are also said to be monitoring proceedings.