Tottenham Hotspur could now be back in contention to sign Sevilla star Jules Kounde after club chief Fabio Paratici's attempts last summer, according to reports.
The Lowdown: Spurs attempt 2021 deal...
Spurs attempted to sign the France international defender last summer with credible reports even sharing that the Premier League top-four chasers had agreed a swap deal.
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Sky Sports reporter Gianluca Di Marzio broke news that the Lilywhites shook hands with Sevilla on €30 million (£25m) plus Davinson Sanchez in part exchange.
However, following on from that development, Marca then revealed that Kounde rejected the move to north London in a bitter blow for Paratici.
The Latest: Lilywhites back in contention...
In a surprise development, journalist Rudy Galetti, sharing news late Tuesday, now claims that Antonio Conte's side are back in contention as Spurs, and by extension Paratici, eye a summer move (Tribal Football).
It is believed that they're joined in the race by Man United and Newcastle with a move by Man City also on the cards.
Galetti adds that the time may be now for Kounde to 'say goodbye' to Sevilla after staying last summer.
The Verdict: Make the move?
A mainstay and crucial player for Sevilla again this season, it's no surprise Paratici is back in the mix for Kounde.
Only two players in Julen Lopetegui's squad have been handed more La Liga minutes over 2021/2022 than the 23-year-old, who is Sevilla's second-best performer by average match rating per 90 (WhoScored).
Kounde, making a colossal 3.1 clearances every game with only defender Diego Carlos bettering that number, also wins 2.4 aerial duels per encounter on average - the joint-most out of any Sevilla player (WhoScored).
Integral to Lopetegui, it's little wonder they refused to sell for less than his €80 million (£68m) release clause.
Whether or not they budge on that stance remains to be seen, but if so, Paratici shouldn't hesitate in opening talks.
Raving over the links to Kounde last summer, ex-Spurs goalkeeper Paul Robinson claimed he is the 'world-class centre-half that Spurs so desperately need' - tipping his possible signing to 'excite' supporters (Football Insider).
Plaudits like these and the Frenchman's brilliant form this season point towards a very good possible signing for Spurs.
In other news: 'Spurs will...' - Fabrizio Romano shares exciting behind-scenes update with Conte 'very happy', find out more here.