According to reports in The Express, Tottenham Hotspur have been given a boost in their pursuit of Watford midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure, who is stalling on signing the new £70,000-a-week contract he has been offered, although the player's preference would be to join Arsenal.

What's the word, then?

Well, The Express says the Frenchman is a target for Spurs, their arch-rivals Arsenal and Liverpool following an outstanding campaign for Watford, and the trio could look to make their move this summer.

The Express says that the Hornets have offered the 25-year-old a new deal worth £70,000-a-week, but his latest comments suggest that he will stall on signing it to see which options he has in the summer, with Arsenal potentially his preferred destination.

What has Doucoure said about his future?

Speaking to French media outlet Telefoot, the midfielder said: "It's true that these clubs are interested in me.

"Arsenal would be my choice out of the two because of Arsene Wenger.

"But I am at Watford and my focus is on finishing the season well and to maintain their Premier League status.

"After, when the club and I make the decision to make the next step, then that will have to be agreed but, for now, I am focused on Watford."

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How good has Doucoure been this season?

He has been excellent.

The Frenchman has arguably been Watford's standout player and has scored seven goals and provided a further two assists from the middle of the park for the Hertfordshire-based outfit, with both of those assists coming in the 4-1 win against Chelsea at Vicarage Road earlier this month.

The 25-year-old has shown his qualities as a box-to-box midfielder throughout the campaign, and as well as his strength and ability to get goals, he is also good on the ball and according to WhoScored.com has successfully completed 29 of the 35 dribbles he has attempted in 26 Premier League appearances this term.

Would he be a good signing for Tottenham?

He certainly would be.

While Spurs have plenty of options in the middle of the park with Eric Dier, Mousa Dembele, Victor Wanyama and Harry Winks right now, Mauricio Pochettino may see Doucoure as a potential long-term replacement for Dembele.

However, if the north London outfit do sign the 25-year-old it would suggest that someone could be leaving and that seems unlikely right now, while if Arsenal show interest in the Frenchman then he could choose to move to the Emirates anyway.