According to reports on The Mirror's live transfer blog on December 20 (7:23pm), Tottenham Hotspur are keeping tabs on Lyon winger Maxwel Cornet with a view to making a move for the 21-year-old.

The Mirror says that the Frenchman has a £7m buy-out clause in his contract with the Ligue 1 outfit, which is sure to have caught the attention of Spurs and a number of other clubs across Europe.

The wide-man has scored two goals and provided a further four assists in 21 appearances in all competitions for Lyon this term, having enjoyed two solid seasons with the French club previously – he has netted 24 goals in 116 games in total for them.

The link to Cornet suggests that Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino is looking to strengthen his attacking options either during the January transfer window or next summer, and signing Red Bull Salzburg forward Dimitri Oberlin – who is currently on loan with FC Basel – could prove to be a shrewder move.

According to reports in The Sun, Newcastle United are the favourites to sign the £20m-rated Switzerland U21 international in the New Year, following some impressive performances for the Swiss outfit this term.

Here are three reasons Tottenham should bring the 20-year-old to north London instead of Cornet…

Versatility

While the majority of Cornet's 21 appearances for Lyon this season have come on the right wing, Oberlin is far more of a versatile attacker.

The 20-year-old has played as an attacking midfielder and a No 10, as well as on the left wing and as a centre-forward.

While Mauricio Pochettino may primarily be looking to boost his options out wide, the fact that Oberlin would also be able to cover for the likes of Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen and Harry Kane when needed make him a more attractive proposition than Cornet perhaps is.

Potential

Cornet has been something of an inconsitent performer for Lyon over the course of the last two-and-a-half seasons, and he came under criticism from his own supporters earlier in the campaign following some below-par displays.

In thar respect, you certainly do get the feeling that Oberlin has more potential to go on to greater things in the future if this term is anything to go by.

The 20-year-old has made a huge impression during his loan spell with FC Basel and has shown the quality he has by scoring four times in six Champions League group stage games, and his lightning-quick speed either from out wide or through the middle could cause opposition Premier League defenders nightmares.

Ligue 1 failings

Tottenham have signed young forwards Clinton Njie and Georges-Kevin Nkoudou from Marseille in recent years, with the former making just 14 appearances in all competitions for Spurs before returning to his former club.

The north London then bought Nkoudou from the French giants, but the 22-year-old has also struggled to make an impression under Mauricio Pochettino with one goal and one assist in 22 outings in total.

Perhaps it is time Tottenham turn their attentions away from France and look elsewhere for new attacking talent, and Oberlin could be the perfect target.

Do you agree, Spurs fans? Let us know below.