Tottenham Hotspur boss Jose Mourinho is chasing a new central defender this transfer window, according to reports...

What's the word?

And Sky Sports Germany have linked the north London outfit with a move for Schalke 04 colossus Ozan Kabak as the Bundesliga side are in a sticky situation financially.

It is claimed that the 20-year-old has a release clause of €40m (£36m), but they are unlikely to receive such a fee due to the financial implications from the pandemic.

AC Milan have previously submitted an offer, though it's thought that the Turkish centre-back would welcome a move to the Premier League with defending champions Liverpool also keen amid their defensive injury troubles.

Van Dijk 2.0?

He may well be inclined to make the move to Merseyside over London due to his admiration for Reds monster Virgil Van Dijk, a player that Kabak idolises and models his game on.

This should only be more reason for Daniel Levy to make the move before anyone else - he is averaging 4.3 aerials won, 3.6 clearances, 1.4 dribbles and one tackle per game this term, via WhoScored.

It is in his imposing presence driving out from the back that bears the best similarities to the Dutch game-changer.

Perhaps it's no surprise to see the Turkey international likened to Sergio Ramos in that sense. Bundesliga.com wrote: 'Kabak has a sound in-game radar and a deceptively quick turn of pace. Powerful in the air and with a great sense of timing.'

Whilst former Villa midfielder, now Stuttgart sporting director, Thomas Hitzlsperger dubbed Kabak a "role-model," he said:

"It's incredible how worldy-wise he is for his age. It's astonishing. I see him every day and am amazed at how he mature he is. He wants to know everything; he wants to learn German right away and understand everything. That's the kind of attitude we need. He's already a role model, despite his age."

Mourinho can force Davinson Sanchez closer to an exit with this move too. The 24-year-old has failed to make nine of their last 11 squads in the Premier League and is heavily out-of-favour.

The Athletic believe he would be open to leaving N17 this month, so it could well be the case of Sanchez out and Kabak in, and that would be quite the impressive switch.

Just maybe the leader-like Schalke sensation can have a similar impact to that of Van Dijk at Anfield.

AND in other news, Special £62m-rated enigma has become Mourinho's sacrificial lamb...