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According to The Sun, Spurs are plotting a £35m move for Cagliari youngster Nico Barella to replace the perennially injured Mousa Dembele.

What's the story?

The Sun reports that the Italian is high on Mauricio Pochettino's January wish-list as the Argentine looks to the New Year with reckless abandon - other reports suggest that there could be a major shake-up in the camp as the Belgian leads an exodus.

With Dembele showing signs of fragility as he succumbs to a second injury this season, it is no surprise that Spurs are actively hunting for a long-term replacement for the 31-year-old.

Having spent not a single penny in the summer, the Lilywhites are in need of fresh faces if they wish to consolidate their top-four status as, following the recent injury to England World Cup hero Kieran Trippier, their treatment room is beginning to fill up.

The next Gerrard or Tardelli?

The 21-year-old is one of the hottest prospects in Europe at the moment as he starts every league game for the Sardinian side and has drawn comparisons with Steven Gerrard.

A Liverpool legend, Gerrard was renowned for his ability to shoot from range with power and accuracy - a skill of Barella's which is listed as 'strong' by WhoScored.

The twice-capped international was also compared to Juventus legend Marco Tardelli after a fantastic performance against Poland in the Nations League, with Fabio Capello stating that the youngster reminds him of the defensive midfielder on a "dynamic level".

Indeed, Barella's output in the middle of the park is extremely impressive in regards to doing the dirty bit - the number 18 completes 2.7 tackles per game on average, owing to his seemingly limitless stamina and tenacity.

With so much hype surrounding his recent performances in Italy, could the 5ft 9in right-footer do it in the Prem?

Check out the harsh words the Playmaker FC squad had to say about Wayne Rooney's England career in the video above...