According to Corriere dello Sport, AC Milan are desperate to sign Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Mousa Dembele during the January transfer window.

What's the story?

Dembele, who is valued at £16.2m by transfermarkt.co.uk, is still very much a key figure at Tottenham, but he has actually only started nine Premier League matches for the London club this season.

Talk that the 30-year-old is considering his future at the club has gathered pace in recent weeks, and according to Corriere dello Sport, AC Milan will test the waters with a bid during this month's transfer window.

It is understood that Dembele is open to moving to Italy as he looks to sample a different league, and Tottenham could sell as they are well stocked in the middle of the park, especially considering the fact that Victor Wanyama has recently returned to first-team training.

Dembele is widely regarded as one of the best technicians in the Premier League, but it is often said that he falls just short of the top level due to the lack of goals in his game.

Just how good is Dembele?

There are few midfielders in the Premier League that can protect a ball like Dembele. The Belgian combines physical strength with technical ability, and it would be fair to say that he is one of the best players to watch in England's top flight when driving through the lines.

The 30-year-old has only ever scored seven Premier League goals for Tottenham, however, and only netted once throughout the whole of last season.

When considering that the Belgian has an explosive strike, it is bizarre that he does not find the back of the net on a regular basis.

Tottenham are a better team when Dembele takes to the field, but he is not getting any younger, and his lack of goals and assists are a problem for a team looking to challenge for the biggest prizes.

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