Tottenham Hotspur have now hatched a new plan involving Emerson Royal to sign Inter Milan right-back Denzel Dumfries, according to reporter Marco Barzaghi.

The Lowdown: Tottenham target right-wing back

Tottenham have struggled defensively this season, and while their centre-backs have to be held more accountable for the 25 goals they have conceded in just 17 Premier League games, Antonio Conte is also believed to want a new right-back.

Inter Live report that the Italian could launch a bid of around £40m for Dumfries, who would be coming in as a replacement for Emerson, after he has averaged a SofaScore rating of just 6.83 so far this season, outside the top ten performers in the Spurs squad.

The Latest: Tottenham hatch swap plan

While paying around £40m is one way of bringing in the Dutchman, Barzaghi reports that Spurs may be willing to include Emerson in a swap deal, which could in turn lower the transfer fee (as per Barzaghi, via the Express).

Manchester United, Chelsea and Bayern Munich are also credited with an interest in the 26-year-old, but the Express claim that Fabio Paratici and Daniel Levy could have the advantage with a player offer.

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The Verdict: Get it done?

Hailed as 'unbelievable' by former footballer David Meyler, the 42-time Netherlands international was a key player for his national side at the World Cup, and displayed his ability going forward with a goal and two assists against the USA in their round of 16 clash.

The Rotterdam-born defender is always looking to get involved in the attacking phase of play, averaging 4.47 touches in the attacking penalty area per 90 minutes over the past year, placing him in the 99th percentile compared to his positional peers.

This is considerably more than the amount offered up by Emerson in that time, with the Brazilian averaging just 2.6, while he has also registered less blocks and aerial wins, so it is evident that Dumfries would be a major improvement for Conte in that area of the pitch.