Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly scouting Joan Gonzalez ahead of a potential swoop...

What's the word?

That's according to Calciomercato, who claim that Spurs have already been to Italy 'several times' to take a look at the Lecce midfielder.

It's thought that the former La Masia prodigy is available for as little as €15m (£13m), although the north Londoners face competition from Serie A champions AC Milan, fellow rivals Napoli and Borussia Dortmund.

Shades of Sarr

You could be forgiven for not knowing much about the Spaniard but sporting director Fabio Paratici has earned the right to be trusted as this sort of singing could replicate his success with Pape Matar Sarr, who in recent appearances has caught the eye of first-team manager Antonio Conte.

Anyone who has come through the Barcelona academy is clearly gifted in some form and Gonzalez has seemingly settled into a defensive midfield role. having been tested at centre-back in the past, given his 6 foot 3 frame.

One scout report lists two of the 20-year-old's qualities as being able to recognise danger and tackling. Meanwhile, Gonzalez ranks inside the top 5% for all midfielders across Europe's leading five divisions for blocks per 90, reinforcing such a thought.

Lecce have been in surprisingly good form recently, defeating the likes of Atalanta and Lazio in the Serie A and the Spanish midfielder played a key role, with an assist against the former.

FBref also liken the young dynamo to Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie, who Paratici has signed before and has since been interested in bringing to N17.

No one knew who Sarr was before the Italian supremo nabbed him from Metz last summer, so he could look to repeat such a masterstroke with Gonzalez as he could well see out the remainder of the season in Italy before testing his quality in the big-time in the latter stages of 2023.

As such, Spurs must look to follow up their interest in the "magic" young talent - in the words of OptaPaolo - as he could well be the next Sarr-style masterclass from Paratici.

AND in other news, Paratici could sign Conte's next Eden Hazard in Spurs swoop for £18m-rated "wizard"...