Tottenham Hotspur are making the addition of a central defender their top priority this summer, according to reports...

What's the word?

Alasdair Gold at football.london claims that Spurs are looking to sign a new defensive leader for their back four ahead of next season, with doubts emerging over the likes of Eric Dier, Davinson Sanchez and Toby Alderweireld.

Jose Mourinho's side have dropped 13 points from leading positions this campaign and despite having the third-best defensive record in the Premier League, a lot of their poor results have come from defensive errors.

One player thought to be admired by the north Londoners' hierarchy is Brighton and Hove veteran Lewis Dunk.

Two birds, one stone

If Daniel Levy can make a move for the 29-year-old work this summer, then it's one that could pay serious dividends.

In doing so, the Spurs chairman could kill two birds with one stone, as not only would he add the kind of leader that Mourinho is desperately craving but the 6 foot 4 powerhouse would also help aid their homegrown situation substantially.

The one-time England international came through the system at the Seagulls and has been there ever since, racking up 336 appearances, of which 136 have been in the Premier League, via Transfermarkt.

In that time, he's transitioned from a budding prospect to Graham Potter's colossal captain.

"He’ll be really important, and he’s getting better and better," said the Brighton boss after Dunk's recent omission from the national team. "It’s his second season as captain and he leads more naturally by example; he wears his heart on his sleeve and he takes on the responsibility of performing to the highest level and he’s been the best player since I have been at the club," via The Argus.

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One stumbling block would be his cost, and that much remains to be seen, having only signed a five-year £57.5k-per-week extension amid interest from Spurs' rivals Chelsea last season.

Transfermarkt currently value the Brighton star at £22.5m, though these days you often have to pay a premium for the very best British talent.

Previously lauded as an "absolute monster" by former central defensive partner Shane Duffy, Dunk sits amongst Potter's top-five performers, earning a 6.85 average WhoScored rating.

He also currently holds the best passing accuracy rate of any player in the squad, making 89% of his attempts, an impressive return considering he fires off just under 67 passes each outing.

That's better than every single player at Spurs, including Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (88%), Sanchez (85.4%) and Dier (82.5%), as per WhoScored.

Spurs saw his ability first-hand earlier this campaign, when he put in an impressive and resolute display against Heung-min Son and Gareth Bale, playing in Harry Kane's absence. In fact, the Brighton man bullied the pair, winning 100% of his duels and never committing a foul, via SofaScore.

In Dunk, Spurs could find their next central defensive leader and at the same time, help meet the homegrown quota next season. Whatever the price, Levy must look to strike on this deal this summer.

AND in other news, Spurs dealt double injury blow ahead of Newcastle clash