TBR View: Spurs’ reported hopes of signing £25m centre-back who’s fond of Mourinho now at risk

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Tottenham Hotspur have been busy bolstering their squad this summer, with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Joe Hart and Matt Doherty joining the Spurs ranks.

However, central defence remains an area which could do with strengthening, in wake of Jan Vertonghen’s departure from North London.

One centre-back Tottenham have reportedly been looking at over the past few weeks is Chelsea and France ace Kurt Zouma.

The Express claimed in July that Spurs were growing increasingly confident of tempting the £25million-rated ace away from Stamford Bridge, and that Jose Mourinho was a big fan.

Last year, Zouma told France Football – via GFFN – about his former boss: “He is the one who opened the door of England to me. I was only 19 when I arrived there. That’s young.

“It’s also him who gave me belief by playing me in big matches with a lot of intensity. It is also he who showed me what football in England was about.

“The coach is a man who detests losing. He taught me to hate defeat. Thanks to him, I got to enjoy myself at Chelsea.  He’s given me a lot of things and taught me an enormous amount. I thank him.”

However, Goal.com reported earlier this week that Chelsea were looking to send Fikayo Tomori out on loan, with Everton seemingly closing in on the 22-year-old’s services.

The report then claimed that Tomori’s exit would mean the Blues would have to keep Zouma so as to retain squad depth, as well as Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger.

With Spurs’ search for a central defender still ongoing, they may have to swiftly turn their attentions elsewhere if Tomori’s exit sees Zouma struck off the list.