A fresh update has emerged in Tottenham Hotspur's pursuit of Takehiro Tomiyasu...

What's the word?

According to renowned Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Spurs are still negotiating to sign the Bologna defender, though no agreement over the fee has been agreed with the Serie A outfit.

Speaking on the 'Last Word On Spurs' YouTube channel, he said:

"They are still in talks with the agent of the player, but there is still no agreement with Bologna. The deal is not off yet."

Earlier this month, the Telegraph's Mike McGrath claimed that the Italian side were wanting €25m (£21.5m) but the two clubs have been negotiating, with the 22-year-old seen as both a right-back and a central defensive option for Nuno Santo.

Bye-bye Aurier

The arrival of Tomiyasu would surely spell the end for Serge Aurier's time in North London. The 28-year-old is believed to be on the transfer list, according to The Athletic, who claim Spurs have told the right-back that they would like to move him on this window.

Back in May, Aurier himself hinted that his future may lie elsewhere.

"Everyone knows that if I wanted to extend my contract at Tottenham, I'd have already done so," he told L'Equipe. "I'm not going to do that in six months' time. I've experienced the Premier League and a Champions League final. I've reached the end of a cycle and it's time to look elsewhere."

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Spurs sporting director Fabio Paratici can move on from the former Paris Saint-Germain star with a move for Tomiyasu, who appears to be the perfect fit for Nuno's system.

That's because he is a defensively-minded right-back, who can slot into the backline to make it a three-man defence, which allows Sergio Reguilon to bomb on as a very attacking left wing-back, with Heung-min Son acting as an inside forward or Harry Kane's frontline partner.

The £18m-rated Japan international, who featured at the Tokyo Olympics this summer, has been described as a "true warrior" by fellow Bologna defender Mitchell Dijks.

Indeed, an average of 1.5 tackles, 1.7 interceptions and 2.9 aerial battles won per game, via WhoScored, suggests that he's an animal defensively and could potentially be a more reliable option than Aurier, who has frequently been dubbed a "liability" throughout his time in England.

The Ivorian averaged only one interception and 1.9 aerial duels won per match in the Premier League last season and even committed 1.2 fouls each outing, too.

It's also telling that Nuno has preferred his former Wolves ace, Matt Doherty, throughout pre-season, so it's clear that Aurier is very much an unwanted man.

As such, the Portuguese could very much do with signing Tomiyasu and as negotiations continue, Paratici and co must ensure they come to an agreement over the transfer fee as a top priority.

AND in other news, Fabrizio Romano: Spurs could make 2 to 3 more signings...