Tottenham are facing a panicked last few days of the January transfer window with Fabio Paratici and Antonio Conte struggling to bring the club's main targets through the door.

The likes of Luis Diaz and Adama Traore are moving elsewhere but fortunately, Spurs have moved quickly to identify new targets.

What's the word?

The Lilywhites have opened talks to bring Dejan Kulusevksi to English football in the remaining days of the window but he's not the only Juventus player believed to be involved in discussions.

That's according to Sky Sports News with journalist Lyall Thomas taking to Twitter on Friday to confirm interest in one of their midfield players too.

He stated: "Sky in Italy: Tottenham are rivalling Aston Villa with interest in Juventus midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur (From @DiMarzio) Villa have already had a bid in the region of £20m turned down."

Separate reports claim Juve want at least £21m to consider a sale.

Great news

After failed moves for both Diaz and Traore, as well as the news that it's unlikely Spurs will land Franck Kessie, it is superb news for Conte and the club's supporters that they have alternative targets lined up.

Of course, the first two names are more offensive players but Kessie is a totally different beast, capable of dominating defensively and in the final third.

However, with a move now appearing to be off the cards, Spurs will need to consider other options, particularly with Tanguy Ndombele and Dele Alli linked with exits away in the remaining days of the window.

Bentancur is more of a defensive-minded midfielder by comparison but he'd still be a terrific acquisition.

After all, this is someone with plenty of experience at the top table of not only European football, but also World football, being capped 46 times by his country.

At just 24, he is also approaching his peak years and would surely strengthen the club's central areas.

This is a player who is supremely confident with the ball at his feet, completing 87.5% of his passes in Serie A this term, while he's won an impressive 1.7 tackles per game. Combine that with his three assists this term and Bentancur looks to be an all-round midfielder who could dominate in multiple facets of the game.

He has constantly strived to prove the doubters wrong and was once named as the "surprise" of Serie A by Max Allegri.

On that evidence, he'd be a wonderful late signing and one that Paratici simply has to get across the line.

AND in other news, Bid accepted: Spurs now closing in on first January signing, Conte will be buzzing...