Tottenham Hotspur have long held an interest in Diego Carlos and they could snatch him from Newcastle United's grasp...

What's the word?

According to the Daily Mail, Spurs have joined the Magpies in the race to secure the Sevilla defender before the January 31st deadline.

Sky Sports reporter Kaveh Solhekol also provided an update on the situation live on air on Thursday's 'The Transfer Show' (17:05).

“The latest we are getting on Diego Carlos is that Sevilla want to keep him for their game this weekend [against Celta Vigo]," he said.

"But after that game, the expectation is that Sevilla will do a deal and then it’s up to the player where he wants to go.

“They have had an offer from Newcastle and they have been in the driving seat for the past couple of days. But there is also another Premier League club from London who have made an offer of around £30m for him."

He then added: "I’m not in a position to say which club it is, but I know that Spurs have a long interest in the player and they have been watching him closely for a long time."

Major defensive upgrade

What a signing this would be for Antonio Conte.

With Eric Dier and Cristian Romero on the treatment table recently, the lack of quality depth in his backline has become ever so apparent.

Spurs may remain unbeaten under the Italian in the Premier League but they were beaten over two legs in the Carabao Cup semi-final against Chelsea - another reminder of how far ahead the Champions of Europe are, whilst they conceded twice during their midweek win over Leicester City.

Davinson Sanchez has been particularly disappointing since his £42m arrival from Ajax in August 2017. The fact that he has struggled to cement a regular place in the starting XI over the past four years is telling.

His performances in a Lilywhites shirt have often led to fans and pundits describing him as a "liability."

The 28-year-old Brazilian would be a considerable upgrade on the Spurs star as he continues to excel for Sevilla, where he won the Europa League in 2020.

During that season, he contributed towards 21 clean sheets, keeping the likes of Edin Dzeko, Raul Jimenez, and Barcelona's frontline of Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi silent.

Whilst this campaign, Carlos has formed a solid partnership alongside Jules Kounde - as per WhoScored, he's averaged a squad-high 2.8 aerial duels won, 1.1 tackles and an impressive 88.3% passing accuracy per league outing.

Sanchez isn't as strong in the air and is worse on the ball, based on his returns in the Premier League this campaign.

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Carlos, who is valued at £40.5m by Transfermarkt, has previously been dubbed a "beast" who is "built like a tank" by Spanish football expert Domagoj Kostanjšak to the Blood Red podcast (via the Liverpool ECHO).

With ten days to go, Spurs supremo Fabio Paratici must ensure it's the north Londoners who win the race for the Sevilla titan this window.

AND in other news, Spurs edge closer to Adama Traore deal...