Speaking to Il Napoli Online, via Sport Witness, Italian journalist Gianluigi Longari dropped a promising Tottenham transfer claim - going on to say that the Lilywhites and, by extension, chairman Daniel Levy, are 'ready' to meet Serie A defender Nikola Maksimovic's wage demands in a potential swoop.

Maksimovic, who has started just four Serie A matches for Napoli this season (WhoScored), is apparently still attracting Spurs' interest regardless - with Levy seemingly prepared to match the Serbian's salary in a move.

Levy ready to meet Maksimovic wage

Longari hints Spurs are showing a desire to sign the 6 foot 4 titan, while he believes Maksimovic 'will' move away from the Stadio San Paolo with an exit out of Napoli seemingly inevitable - especially considering he is out of contract in the summer.

The journalist claims that it is unlikely that he will put pen to paper on a new deal, with Napoli chairman Aurelio De Laurentiis allegedly working on a renewal, and that Tottenham are 'ready' to meet any 'economic' demand for his signature.

"About Hysaj, I have more hope, while I believe that Maksimovic will go away,” Longari explained (to Il Napoli Online via Sport Witness).

“On him, there are many teams ready to satisfy him even at an economic level, including Tottenham.

“Napoli has a great relationship with the agent of Hysaj, Mario Giuffredi, therefore, they are very optimistic about the renewal of the Albanian-back.”

Transfer Tavern take

Despite only playing a handful of games this season, Maksimovic appears to fit the profile of a defender Jose Mourinho would be keen on, judging by his past pursuit of 6 foot 2 colossus Milan Skriniar (Gianluca Di Marzio).

According to WhoScored, both Skriniar and Spurs' latest alleged defensive target have comfortably averaged over 90% pass completion this campaign (Skriniar, 92.6%; Maksimovic, 95.3%) - while the two centre-backs are also towering in stature.

These numbers suggest that Mourinho is keen on a defender who can play out from the back whilst possessing physical prowess, and Maksimovic could also be a welcome addition in the summer given he could leave as a free agent.

Time will tell whether Spurs are the club to land him, but he could tick all the boxes for Mourinho.

In other news: Fabrizio Romano says Tottenham are also 'ready' to let this player leave, find out more here.