According to a report by Italian source SportMediaset, via TUTTOmercatoWEB, Tottenham Hotspur have now made an early proposal to sign AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie in January.

The Lowdown: Spurs eye Kessie...

As per recent reports, Tottenham are firm contenders to sign Milan's star player as his contract continues to wind down at the San Siro.

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As things stand, he is able to negotiate pre-contract summer moves for later in 2022 and the Lilywhites have been linked to signing him as a free agent.

However, sources have also suggested that Tottenham could try and seal Kessie before that with a permanent January move this month not entirely ruled out.

Italian reporter Sandro Sabatini, speaking on Radio Radio earlier this week (via Calciomercato.it), claimed that Milan could green light his mid-season sale for just €10 million (£8.3m) as name drops Spurs as suitors specifically.

The Latest: Spurs make proposal...

In an update, SportMediaSet (via TMW) say that Paratici and Tottenham would 'like to take him already' this month rather than as a free agent in the summer.

According to their information, the Lilywhites have already made a proposal - offering club record signing Tanguy Ndombele in a player-swap deal.

However, the Rossoneri have apparently rejected this offer from Spurs due to the Frenchman's wages - said to be around €10 million (£8.3m) a season.

The Verdict: Blow for Spurs...

As Ndombele looks out-of-favour under Conte, with reports suggesting he may even be allowed to move on this month for the right offer, Tottenham could have killed two birds with one stone by exchanging the 25-year-old.

As such, Milan's rejection comes as a slight blow given Paratici's serious interest in their £43.2 million-valued man and it's safe to say Spurs could seriously do with Kessie's signing before January 31.

He has racked up a noteworthy 19 goals and seven assists since the start of last campaign, thriving further forward under Stefano Piolo in that time.

Tottenham arguably need an injection of midfield threat going through the middle and it's been a point of contention they haven't managed to replace former star Christian Eriksen.

In other news: 'I've been told this morning'...Sky reporter shares 'breaking' Spurs transfer news on live TV, find out more here.