Jannik Vestergaard is on Tottenham Hotspur's shortlist as they search for a new centre-back this summer...

What's the word?

That's according to The Athletic's Charlie Eccleshare, who claims that Spurs' top target Jules Kounde is likely to be out of reach due to his desire to play in the Champions League.

And the Southampton star features amongst the list of alternative candidates as they close in on their first signing, Bologna's versatile defender Takehiro Tomiyasu.

 

It's thought that Vestergaard would be a cheap option compared to Inter's Milan Skriniar and certainly Kounde, too.

Only a week ago, The Times reported that Spurs had opened talks with the Denmark international and that the Saints value him at more than the £18m they paid Borussia Monchengladbach for his signature in 2018.

A viable alternative?

Vestergaard, unlike the other names mentioned in the report, has one major advantage in that he's a proven talent in the Premier League, having emerged as a standout on the South Coast in recent seasons.

For example, he rated out as their third-best player last season behind James Ward-Prowse and Oriol Romeu, as per WhoScored figures and unsurprisingly given his 6 foot 6 stature, he won the most aerial duels in the squad (3.3 per game).

It's no secret that Spurs' biggest problems were attributed largely to their defence last season, as perfectly put by The Athletic, individual mistakes at the back were the Achilles' heel of their troubled campaign, in which they leaked more goals than any other of the traditional 'big six.'

They lacked leadership following the departure of Jan Vertonghen and with Toby Alderweireld reportedly wanting to leave too, it's another factor that Vestergaard could help remedy.

As per his Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl, the great Dane has been lauded a "real leader", whilst also drawing comparisons to Virgil van Dijk, too.

The £16m-rated colossus also excelled at Euro 2020 this summer, where he played an integral role in guiding Denmark into the semi-finals, where they were knocked out by England.

Despite being defeated in extra time, Vestergaard still had a big say in the game, helping keep Spurs talisman Harry Kane quiet up until his late spot-kick.

Only two other starters for the Scandinavian side managed a better match rating, via SofaScore, whilst the England striker only won 33% of his battles and lost possession 14 times up against a defence led by Vestergaard, who himself did not lose a single aerial duel, made seven clearances and put in five tackles.

If Alderweireld does get his wish this summer, then Spurs could do no wrong by replacing him with the experienced Vestergaard.

AND in other news, Paratici masterclass: Spurs could sign "pretty special" £54m-rated beast in bold swoop...