According to TEAMtalk, Tottenham Hotspur have approached Stuttgart over a move for versatile defender Benjamin Pavard in this summer's transfer window.

Pavard starred at right-back for France at the 2018 World Cup - putting in a string of impressive performances as the European nation landed the crown.

The 22-year-old played a lot of football at centre-back for Stuttgart last season, however, and has also operated in central midfield for the Bundesliga club.

Pavard is contracted to Stuttgart until the summer of 2021, but a number of clubs have been linked with the defender, and it will be difficult for his German side to keep the Frenchman if bids start to arrive.

Toby Alderweireld's expected exit will open up a spot in the squad, and Pavard's arrival could see Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino switch to a 3-4-3 formation.

Pochettino would have the option of playing Kieran Trippier and Ben Davies as wing-backs, with Pavard potentially sliding in alongside Davinson Sanchez and Jan Vertonghen in central defence.

It is understood that a release clause in Pavard's contract will allow him to leave for £30.9m next summer, but Tottenham want a deal done ahead of the 2018-19 campaign.

Benjamin Pavard's stats for France at 2018 World Cup

As shown in the graphic above, Pavard played the full 90 minutes in six of France's seven games at this summer's World Cup - putting 540 minutes on the board.

The 6ft 1in ace scored an absolute stunner against Argentina in the round of 16, whilst the fact that he picked up just one yellow card is a credit to his defensive abilities.

Pavard also made 12 tackles during this summer's tournament, and a pass success rate of 80% shows just how well he used the ball. Those numbers for a full-back are very impressive, and there is no question that he was key to France's triumph.

Tottenham will face a lot of competition for the defender - rated at £36m by Transfermarkt - this summer, but Pavard seriously came of age at this year's World Cup.

The 2018-19 Premier League campaign is now just around the corner, and Pavard's arrival at Tottenham would send out a big statement.

[brid autoplay="true" video="255896" player="12034" title="Watch Tottenham's opening fixtures for the 201819 Premier League season"]