Tottenham Hotspur are said to be eyeing up 'a surprise move' for Sunderland ace Dan Neil this summer, according to a recruitment source via Football Insider.

The Lowdown: Departure on the horizon?

The 20-year-old firmly established his place in the Black Cats’ starting XI under former manager Lee Johnson and had an impressive start to the season, where he received the North East Football Writers’ Association’s young player of the year award for 2021.

At the end of last year, the midfielder put pen to paper on a new long-term contract which runs until 2025, but the youngster hasn’t been as influential under Alex Neil. The Sunderland manager recently responded to the player's drop-off in performances by leaving him out of the side, which has now started speculation that the 20-year-old will leave the Stadium of Light at the end of the campaign.

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The Latest: Neil attracting huge interest

In a new report which has emerged, it has been claimed that a recruitment source told Football Insider that Spurs are ‘keeping tabs’ on Neil ahead of the upcoming transfer window.

The article added that the north London outfit have been ‘alerted to the change in circumstances’ regarding the Sunderland prospect, but they aren’t the only clubs interested in his services, with top-flight rivals Crystal Palace and Brighton also said to be monitoring the player.

The Verdict: One for the future

Neil has scored four goals and provided eight assists for Sunderland so far this season, via Transfermarkt, which has clearly caught the eye of multiple potential suitors.

With the £1.4k-per-week talent currently playing in the third tier of English football, you’d imagine that whatever price tag the League One outfit stick on the England under-20 starlet won’t be ridiculously high, so it’s definitely a move which Tottenham should be considering.

Once hailed as “a young Paul Gascoigne” by his former boss Johnson, Paratici could seal an absolute bargain for Neil, who is one for the future and could be a fresh face that we end up seeing in the Spurs first team in years to come if they can attract him to north London.

In other news… Daniel Levy has reportedly eyed a potential Conte replacement