Tottenham Hotspur could have rounded off a perfect summer of business with a swoop for one of Jose Mourinho's former players...

What's the word?

According to L'Equipe (via Sport Witness), the north Londoners had a bid rejected for Chelsea centre-back Kurt Zouma during the transfer window with their local rivals wanting around €45m (£40m) to let him leave Stamford Bridge.

It's claimed that the 26-year-old wouldn't have been against an exit with Premier League rivals Everton also having an offer rebuffed.

However, Zouma has since gone on to cement his place down under Frank Lampard, forming a formidable partnership with veteran Thiago Silva.

Levy fail

Mourinho originally signed the French international for the Blues in 2014 but it has taken until now to truly see his potential come to fruition.

In seven league starts, Zouma has averaged 5.1 clearances, 3.3 aerial duels won, 1.3 interceptions and a 90.2% passing accuracy, via WhoScored.

Upon his arrival, the Special One claimed the central defender was a player with "big potential" before quickly suggesting that he would be a "big player for Chelsea for many years" just a few months into his maiden campaign.

Spurs know about him all too well too as he was part of the side that silenced Harry Kane last season - in fact, he absolutely terrorised the England talisman.

Frank Lampard won both matches over his old boss, but it was the game at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium which stood out most. Zouma made four clearances, two interceptions, won 100% of his aerial duels and of course, kept Kane quiet, via SofaScore.

With Davinson Sanchez heavily out-of-favour at Spurs, not being named in their last three league squads, and Joe Rodon seemingly not yet ready for a crack at the big time, a £40m swoop for Zouma is something that Daniel Levy should've absolutely done.

Mourinho knows him well, so he could've fit straight in as an option beside Eric Dier or Toby Alderweireld.

AND in other news, Spurs may forever regret not signing their next Dele Alli in 2019...