Tottenham Hotspur could look to bolster their defensive line in one of the next two transfer windows, and if reports are to be believed, Daniel Levy is eyeing a freebie...

What's the word?

According to Sport Bild (via the Daily Mail), Bayern Munich centre-back Jerome Boateng is set to become a free agent in the summer as the Bundesliga giants will not renew his contract at the Allianz Arena.

It's already sparked a potential three-way Premier League battle to secure his signature with Spurs in the hunt alongside London rivals Arsenal and Chelsea.

The 32-year-old is currently valued at £10.8m by Transfermarkt and is thought to be on around £205k-per-week in Germany.

Next Carvalho?

Spurs' major Achilles heel is their leaky defence, having only kept two clean sheets in their last 14 matches in all competitions, which follows on from having the second-worst defensive record inside the top seven last season.

We've seen down the road at Stamford Bridge what the addition of an illustrious and experienced defender can do, Thiago Silva's presence among the backline has seen the Blues keep six clean sheets in their last eight games.

Indeed Boateng could make a similar impact given he's been a regular for the Bundesliga champions and at international level for Germany for the best part of nine years.

Back in 2004, Mourinho brought Ricardo Carvalho to Chelsea with him on the back of a Champions League win and that's something the 6 foot 4 monster has just won, making him a two-time winner of Europe's top prize, so that would bear some similarities to why the Special One would be genuinely interested in signing Boateng.

Throw in a World Cup and eight domestic titles; you've got yourselves a major winner here.

Bayern teammate Thomas Muller once dubbed him a "quarterback" who "has developed into a world-class player" whilst former boss Niko Kovac also waxed lyrical, claiming: "his concentration and quality is exceedingly good."

Unlike Silva, Boateng has plenty more to give in terms of longevity and would surely be a most welcome addition in north London, especially as he'd arrive on a free transfer.

That'll surely have Levy's mouth watering already.

AND in other news, Spurs dealt potentially huge blow over Tanguy Ndombele...