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Tottenham Hotspur have declared their interest in signing Hoffenheim midfielder Florian Grillitsch as a replacement for the outgoing Mousa Dembele, who looks set to join Chinese Super League outfit Beijing Guoan in an £11m deal.

What's the word, then?

Mauricio Pochettino's side are in the market for a central midfielder to offset the aforementioned departure of the Belgian international, as well as to cover the injury-prone Victor Wanyama who has started just a single Premier League game this season, as well as three appearances as a substitute.

Spurs have recently called youngsters George Marsh and Oliver Skipp into the first-team, thanks to their impressive performances in the academy, but also as a result of the current injury crisis in the middle of the mark - Eric Dier has also been missing recently with Appendicitis, with 22-year-old Harry Winks and Moussa Sissoko holding the fort.

The north Londoners have made no secret of their desire to strengthen that department in particular, but it remains to be seen whether anything happens before the deadline on January 31.

Who is Grillitsch?

At 6' 1", the Austrian midfielder is a physically imposing presence who likes to carry the ball forward, as Dembele did so often. The Austrian international is also a combative figure with his tough tackling and excellent defensive contribution, but one who also possesses great technique on the ball and can hold his own in the middle of the park.

Pochettino is keen to bring the player to the new White Hart Lane, and will be encouraged that a deal can be done as a result of a release clause in Grillitsh's contract, which is said to be just over £18m - there are two-and-a-half years left to run on that particular deal.

Funds may be limited as a result of the increasing debts from the construction of the new stadium, but the aforementioned clause should be one that a club of Spurs' stature can meet quite easily if they are intent on signing the Bundesliga star.