Spurs are preparing a £50million summer bid for Bournemouth midfield sensation David Brooks, to head off interest from other clubs including Manchester United.
Manager Mauricio Pochettino was aware last season of the Wales international, who is now in the running to be named the PFA Young Player of the Year.
Instead, Bournemouth counterpart Eddie Howe nipped in with a successful £11.5m offer for the Sheffield United rising star.
There have been questions asked within the Tottenham scouting unit as to why the club didn’t harden their interest as they watched Brooks, who started off in Manchester City’s academy before switching to Bramall Lane at age 17, take the top flight by storm.
Born in Warrington, he qualified to play for Wales through his Welsh mother and despite representing England Under 20s finally opted to join then-manager Chris Coleman’s Welsh squad.
He now has nine senior caps, and it’s now not just Spurs who have noted his huge potential — United have checked regularly on the 21-year-old and could make their own summer bid.
Bournemouth who will be without their midfield inspiration for around a month due to an ankle injury he picked up during the midweek hammering of Chelsea will try and fend off all offers but are aware of the player’s ambitions.
Stanstanfords7
59
I don't know if we need David brooks right now though.. I think for us United David brooks is another Andres Pereira, getting brooks would be replacing him with Matic. I know many would say Matic is a strong defensive mid but I have actually noticed that Matic doesn't blend well being the only holding mid with the rest being attackers and that's what brooks is. Ander Hererra can play as the only defensive mid fielder releasing pogba and brooks that's if brooks can be pulled out. Though if there is anything united need is to get one center back to pair with Lindelof,then get Sanchez back to being Sanchez and help lingard to be heavy on the ball and pushy. Lingard is lethal but lazy and light.
12UnitedGuyReborn
52
If we want the kid we will get him Sours thinking of competing with United in the transfer market will only end up hurting them badly unless they want to sell their new stadium go money to buy players and still we will still be more financially powerful