Tottenham Hotspur's need for centre-back Nicolo Barella might be bigger than they think and should act accordingly if they were to avoid losing out on him.

Barella has been heavily linked with a move away from Cagliari with North London enemies Arsenal also interested in strengthening their defence by offering him a deal at the Emirates.

But now it has been reported that Carlo Ancelotti's Napoli is also keen on securing his signature. According to Calcio Mercato, via Talk Sport, the Serie A challengers are confident they could wrap up a deal in January, but are wary of the offer that Spurs might put before the 21-year-old.

Barella has been a star for his boyhood club this season and has donned the captain's armband on three occasions already. He's also started in every single match the Italian outfit has played since August, while he has only once not completed the full 90 minutes.

Those are impressive numbers given his young age and the responsibility he's already been given shows he could be the ideal fit for a move to the Premier League.

Mauricio Pochettino should however put pressure on his ownership to outbid the Gunners and Napoli for Barella's services as it is expected that the manager will receive the necessary financial backing in the upcoming transfer market.

Jan Vertonghen's hamstring injury has led to young Juan Foyth rising to the occasion and although the Argentinian has been impressive in Vertonghen's absence, the two penalties he conceded at Wolverhampton Wanderers a fortnight ago showed his lack of experience in pressure moments.

And, with Toby Alderweireld's future still remaining unclear, Barella would come as a handy addition for the second part of the season where Spurs would need to be composed and organised if they were to finish in the top four and compete in Europe.

Whether that'll be in the Champions League or Europa League remains to be seen, but Pochettino would need depth in his squad, and especially at the back if Spurs were to pose a real threat to opposition clubs.