Zakaria is Tottenham’s most realistic hope of replacing Dembele in January

Add as preferred source on Google

Mousa Dembele has moved closer to a move from Tottenham to the Chinese Super League during the January transfer window, according to Sky Sports.

They report that Beijing Sinobo Guoan have been long-term admirers of the Belgian midfielder but have been unable to move because they were at their full quota of overseas players.

But they have now moved Jonathan Soriano out of the club, and have made initial contact over signing Dembele in the January transfer window.

Sky Sports also claim that Spurs have been scouting a host of potential replacements across Europe and the target that looks most realistic if Mauricio Pochettino wants a January move is Denis Zakaria.

Spurs were reportedly interested in the Borussia Moenchengladbach midfielder – valued at £36m – in the summer and Sky Sports report that he is still on Pochettino’s radar.

It would be tough for Tottenham to snare a player from one of Europe’s top sides during the mid-season window, but the valuation of the Swiss international, combined with the status of his current club makes him a realistic target should Dembele leave this month.

At just 22, Zakaria would fit into the profile of what Spurs are trying to do and has plenty of room for improvement, and of course is a current international already.