According to TEAMtalk, Tottenham are interested in signing French World Cup winning defender Benjamin Pavard, who is valued at £36m by Transfermarkt, but they should be targeting Thomas Meunier instead.

What's the story?

Although he shone at right-back for France in the World Cup this summer, Pavard is a centre-back by trade at his club VfB Stuttgart. With Toby Alderweireld heavily linked with a move to Manchester United this summer and right-back Serge Aurier failing to impress, it would seem that Spurs are looking to cover two positions with one player.

Benjamin Pavard celebrates scoring for France

The 22-year-old played every minute of Stuttgart's league campaign last season as the newly promoted side stormed to a seventh place finish.

However, Pavard is relatively lightweight and, despite his obvious talent, could struggle to adapt as a centre-back in Pochettino's favoured four at the back in the Premier League, which is considerably more physical than the Bundesliga.

A better option for Spurs could be for Levy to open the chequebook to sign both Yerry Mina as an Alderweireld replacement and then Paris Saint-Germain's Thomas Meunier to replace Aurier, who made the same move from the French captial just last summer.

Competition for places

Kieran Trippier celebrates England's win over Tunisia at the World Cup

Aurier struggled in his first season at Spurs, with a number of rash decisions costing Poch's side. Trippier on the other hand had an impressive campaign and followed it with a stunning World Cup for England.

With Spurs in the Champions League again next season and aiming to compete for silverware across all fronts again, they will need to add depth and competition for places to the squad, which could mean replacing Aurier with a new full-back.

Meunier's attacking performances for Belgium in Russia caught the eye of a number of top clubs, including Barcelona according to Sport English. His importance to Roberto Martinez's side was also highlighted when he didn't play. Whilst suspended for his side's semi-final against France, Belgium lacked balance and often looked out of ideas without the out-ball that the 26-year-old provides.

If Poch does want the PSG man, valued at just £13.5m by Transfermarkt, he will have to battle it out with Barca for his signing, but there is no doubt that signing the Belgian and another centre-back would show more ambition to build a winning squad than solely targeting Pavard.

[brid playlist="4766" player="12034" title="World Cup 2018"]