Time is running out in the transfer window for Tottenham Hotspur in their bid to strengthen ahead of the new season, but a recent report from Spain suggests they have failed to recognise a rare opportunity to secure a perfect replacement for Mousa Dembele.

According to the Spanish media outlet Marca, Mateo Kovacic remains determined to leave Real Madrid this summer in search of first-team football, with Man City, Man United, Bayern Munich, Juventus and Liverpool all lining up to secure his signature.

There is no explicit mention of Tottenham's interest within the article, but based on the potential of the Croatia international there's plenty of reason to suggest that they should join an array of Europe's most prestigious clubs in the race for his signature.

First and foremost, the timing of Kovacic's availability could not have arrived at a better moment for Spurs: the 24-year-old should be able to step straight into the first-team to replace Mousa Dembele if he departs before the end of the window, and the fact they have a new awe-inspiring stadium to present to Kovacic could play a crucial role in swaying his decision.

Naturally, Madrid's asking price could prove to be too extortionate for Daniel Levy, but as the window develops the Spanish giants could be tempted to slash their asking price in order to steer clear of the prospect of having an unhappy player disrupting the club next season.

Interest from some of Europe's top clubs will also provide Levy with some stiff competition, but Kovacic has strongly expressed his desire to play first-team football next season and, considering Tottenham are likely to need a new midfield lynchpin to replace Dembele, they would have a fantastic opportunity to fend off interest from elsewhere.

Kovacic's stats from last season do not depict Kovacic in a particularly impressive way as, like Demebele, he struggles to make a decisive impact in the final-third. But there are plenty of qualities which stats cannot illuminate which Kovacic can bring to the table: a tremendous engine to move play a box-to-box midfield role, an extensive range of passing, the willingness to drive at opponents with the ball at his feet, defensive solidity and, above all, an enormous potential to grow into one of the most effective midfielders in world football.

Times of change are looming on the horizon for Tottenham Hotspur, so it's about time Levy secured a huge coup for the club and proved Spurs mean business ahead of the new season with the signing of Kovacic.

Tottenham fans - thoughts? Let us know below!