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Tottenham Hotspur are monitoring Borussia Monchengladbach defender Matthias Ginter, according to Sky Sports.

They are joined in the hunt for the centre-back by north London rivals Arsenal, with both keen to reinforce their defence in the summer.

What's the word?

Spurs, per Sky Sports, are scouting potential defensive signings ahead of the summer transfer window, along with Unai Emery's side.

Mauricio Pochettino's men were, Sky Sports say, interested in signing Ginter before he moved to Monchengladbach from Borussia Dortmund in 2017.

Tottenham have triggered an extension to Belgium defender Toby Alderweireld's contract but that deal includes a clause that allows him to move on for £25million in the next transfer window, should a bid be tabled.

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As a result, the club may have to bolster their backline when the window opens, despite failing to sign a single player last summer or in January.

Ginter is 25 and has won 23 caps for Germany, while also playing 54 times for Gladbach since his move.

The centre-back was also a member of his country's 2014 World Cup-winning squad, though he did not play a single minute at the tournament.

Excellent replacement

Ginter could become an excellent replacement for Alderweireld.

The Spurs defender appears close to heading for the exit door in north London sooner rather than later, while Jan Vertonghen is 31.

Davinson Sanchez has emerged as a superb centre-back at the age of just 22 and they now appear to be looking to the future.

Ginter could come in, make the centre-back spot his own and forge a partnership with the Colombia international that could well last for a decade.

It remains to be seen if there will be a bidding war - Arsenal, too, desperately need to sign a centre-back - but Spurs would do well to get the jump on the competition.

Ginter certainly fits Pochettino's profile; he is young, has Bundesliga and Champions League experience with Borussia Dortmund, coupled with a genuine international pedigree.

There can be no better potential signing if Alderweireld does leave the club.