Tottenham Hotspur are now set to battle Manchester United for the signing of Inter Milan defender Stefan De Vrij, according to reports from Italy.
The Lowdown: Tottenham's defensive issues
Spurs manager Antonio Conte would have been hoping that his team could put their defensive issues behind them as the season restarted following the World Cup, but that was not to be the case against Brentford on Boxing Day.
Spurs drew 2-2, with centre-back Eric Dier making a sloppy error in the build-up to their opponents' second goal. The Lilywhites have now conceded 23 goals in 16 Premier League outings, only two fewer than 18th-placed Wolves.
As such, it is no wonder that Conte wants to strengthen his backline, and a battle with a 'big six' domestic rival to sign De Vrij could now be set to develop..
The Latest: De Vrij in Conte's sights
According to a report from Calciomercato, there is no shortage of proposals for the centre-back, with Conte wanting to reunite with a player who he managed during his time at Inter Milan.
Man United are also named as potential suitors, with Erik ten Hag looking to bring in another Dutch player. MLS clubs could also tempt the 30-year-old into a transatlantic move, given the higher salary that they would be able to offer than what he is currently getting in Milan.
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The Verdict: Get it done
Given Spurs' defensive issues, they need to prioritise the signing of someone who's capable of playing at the very top level. De Vrij fits that bill, having proven himself as a vital part of the Inter Milan team in recent years.
Once hailed as a 'monster' by former Lazio team-mate Mauricio, the Dutchman has displayed a knack for cutting out opposition attacks, with an average of 1.85 interceptions per 90 over the past year placing in the 84th percentile compared to his positional peers in Europe's top five leagues.
De Vrij also has plenty of experience in the Champions League, making 27 appearances in the competition and averaging a Sofascore rating of 7.0 at that level last term.
With his contract set to expire at the end of the season, it is likely that the defender would be available on a cut-price deal, making him a perfect potential acquisition for Conte.