Fabio Paratici could be lining up his first transfer masterclass as Tottenham Hotspur's new sporting director, if emerging reports are to be believed...

What's the word?

According to Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, the Premier League side have struck an agreement with La Liga outfit Sevilla for centre-back Jules Kounde.

It's thought that Spurs have offered Davinson Sanchez plus €30m (£25.5m) and now the 22-year-old France international is mulling over the proposal.

If he rejects the move, then the North Londoners could turn their attentions back to Inter Milan colossus Milan Skriniar, who was close to joining last summer.

Paratici masterclass

If the Italian supremo can pull this off as his first piece of business in N17, then it'll be an absolute stroke of genius as Spurs would be getting rid of an expensive flop and replacing him with a potential star of the future.

Sanchez cost Mauricio Pochettino and Daniel Levy a whopping £42m in August 2017, which was then the club's record arrival. But he has failed to hit the heights that such a price tag should command.

Throughout last season, the Colombia international was regularly slammed for his poor performances.

For instance, former Republic of Ireland star Kenny Cunningham lambasted him as a "real liability", whilst ex-midfielder Jamie O'Hara described him as an "absolute disgrace" back in April.

Sanchez was in and out of the side as a result of his inconsistencies, starting just 17 times in the Premier League. It's evident that he's just not good enough for a team like Spurs and in Kounde, Nuno Santo would be receiving a promising upgrade.

After an impressive campaign for the 2019/20 Europa League winners, the 22-year-old defender made Didier Deschamps' Euro 2020 squad over the likes of Dayot Upamecano and World Cup winner Samuel Umtiti.

Kounde ended the year as their highest-rated player (7.01), having averaged three aerial duels won, 1.2 interceptions as well as a 90.1% passing accuracy, via WhoScored.

These are all returns that exceed the performance from Sanchez in 2020/21.

It's why the £54m-rated beast has been dubbed "pretty special" by La Liga expert Euan McTear and that's exactly the calibre of player Spurs need to make a statement this off-season.

If Paratici can convince the 5 foot 10 monster to join his project in North London, then he'll kickstart his era with a monumental bang. It would, on the above evidence, be quite the coup and shrewd move to swap Sanchez out for Kounde.

AND in other news, Paratici must seal Spurs swoop for £18m Mendes client, Nuno said he's "full of talent"...