Everton are reportedly in the mix to sign Tottenham Hotspur defender Japhet Tanganga, according to the latest reports...

What's the word?

As per Gazetta dello Sport, (via Sports Witness), the Toffees have been named as one of the clubs who are in the race for the 23-year-old's signature, with a loan departure potentially on the cards for the Englishman.

The report suggests that AC Milan are keen on landing the Spurs academy product this summer - having also been linked with a move in January - although the Serie A side could face competition from both Frank Lampard's side and Brentford, who could make 'more convenient offers'.

It remains to be seen whether the talented gem has a future at his parent club, having only featured 19 times in all competitions last season, before picking up a knee injury in February that ruled out him for the remainder of the campaign.

Imagine him and Tarkowski

While there may be doubts about his future under Antonio Conte, that's not to suggest that Everton would be bringing in a busted flush, with the £10.8m-rated ace having showcased his talent in north London in recent seasons.

The subject of praise from Jose Mourinho following his top-flight debut against Liverpool just over two years ago, the £25k-per-week "beast" - as described by Nick Reilly - has proven himself something of a defensive colossus, while also offering invaluable versatility to feature at both centre-back and full-back.

A powerful, pacy asset, the Hackney-born brute also compares favourably to his peers across Europe's top five leagues, ranking in the top 1% for clearances made and the top 6% for aerial duels won, showcasing his physical dominance in the backline.

With suggestions that Lampard is keen to build a 'young and hungry' squad moving forward, Tanganga could well fit the mould perfectly, with the 6-foot star likely to be chomping at the bit for regular involvement after enduring a disrupted 2021/22 season.

As for the Goodison outfit, defensive reinforcements are seemingly a necessity following what was a dismal last campaign, the club shipping 66 goals - the fifth-worst record in the division - while Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher labelled the back four as "Championship" level.

One man who has already come through the door to help spark an improvement is James Tarkowski, the 29-year-old arriving on a free transfer from Burnley after six years at Turf Moor.

The former Clarets man will provide instant steel to Lampard's squad, having averaged an impressive 5.2 clearances, 1.8 tackles and 1.4 interceptions in 35 league games last term, while he's also racked up a total of 194 top-flight appearances.

That wealth of experience could prove vital, although his lack of mobility could be an issue, hence the need to bring in a figure such as Tanganga who can act as the aggressive, front-foot defender alongside the more solid Englishman.

That pairing would seemingly be an obvious upgrade on the club's current options, with Everton simply needing to shore up their leaky backline.

AND, in other news: Everton want to sign "dangerous" £57.8m ace this summer, supporters will be buzzing.