Tottenham Hotspur must raid Patrick Vieira’s Nice to sign sensation with potential to be next Gareth Bale

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Back in January, the French press were reporting on Tottenham Hotspur scouting one of Ligue 1’s hottest new talents. The player in question was Nice right-back Youcef Atal. The Algerian, according to Le10Sport, had worked his way onto the radar of Mauricio Pochettino and Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone.

At the weekend, he showed just why Tottenham should have him top of their shortlist for the summer. He scored a hat-trick as Nice defeated Guingamp 3-0 in Ligue 1.

In recent weeks, Nice manager and Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira has moved him forward. This weekend he played on the left wing and, dare say it, Atal looked like a younger Gareth Bale in the role.

His first goal was the pick of the bunch. A long diagonal pass fell beautifully onto his left-foot as he rifled home a first time volley. His second was a driving run from midfield that Bale would have been proud of and he secured his hat-trick with a sliding tap-in.

“Atal is progressing, when you look at his goals, you notice his aggression to be in the right place, he wants to be in the 18 meters, he’s a positive person with a good condition. His future, we are not sellers.”

– Nice boss Patrick Vieira on Youcef Atal’s future

It certainly seems his future could be as a more attacking player but Tottenham should move now to bring him as a right-back and develop his game going forward.

Kieran Trippier and Serge Aurier have not impressed this season and questions marks surround Kyle Walker-Peters’ readyness.

Atal looks like being an absolute gem in the making. Luring him from Nice and Vieira will not be easy, as the Eaglets boss confirmed to Foot01 and sporting director Gilles Grimandi recently had the same response when questioned on his future, as reported by L’Equipe.

But Tottenham should test that theory and attempt to prise the 22-year-old away from the French Riviera this summer.