Tottenham Hotspur appear to be looking to conduct their summer transfer business early, if emerging reports are to be believed...

What's the word?

According to journalist Gerard Romero (as relayed by Spanish outlet AS), the north London outfit have submitted a bid for FC Barcelona forward Memphis Depay.

Despite being Xavi's top goalscorer in LaLiga this campaign, the arrivals of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Arsenal and Ferran Torres from Manchester City in the winter have seen him slip down the pecking order quite quickly.

His injury history and inconsistency when fit has led to the Barca hierarchy pondering his exit in an attempt to make money - their financial troubles are well documented.

It remains to be seen how much the Netherlands international would command, though Transfermarkt value him at £40.5m, just a year on from his free transfer from Lyon.

Perfect foil for Harry Kane

It's no secret that Spurs have long been on the lookout for another frontman, largely to lessen the burden on Harry Kane as he's left to play every single game on the calendar but also to provide a partner, given Antonio Conte's recent success with two up top.

Indeed, the Italian head coach won Inter Milan's first Serie A title in 11 years by deploying Romelu Lukaku up front alongside Lautaro Martinez. At Spurs, he's unable to do this as the England skipper is his only senior striker.

Depay, who can also play out wide, would be an ideal addition to help in this regard.

The 28-year-old has already endured a tough stint in England at Manchester United, where former Lilywhites boss Jose Mourinho dubbed him a "fantastic professional", though Depay has since slammed the Portuguese for his treatment of him during his time at Old Trafford.

"Jose Mourinho came and I fought to get into the team but I think the idea of giving me a chance was never in his head. He never gave me an opportunity. Never," he told El Periodico (via the Daily Mail)

"I went to his office but it changed nothing. It was a very difficult period, I felt that I was training well and the players themselves did not understand it"

Since then, the former PSV Eindhoven graduate has refound his goalscoring form.

At Lyon, he bagged 76 goals and provided 55 assists across 178 appearances, including a best of 20 goals last term, prior to his move to the Nou Camp, where he has found the net ten times in only 1,419 minutes of action, as per Transfermarkt.

Once lauded as a "special talent" by legendary Dutch striker Marco van Basten, Depay's prolific record, versatility and vast experience makes him a really suitable and perfect candidate to join Conte's squad in the summer.

After submitting an initial offer, sporting director Fabio Paratici and co must push ahead to pull this deal over the line.

AND in other news, 169 mins played: Levy struck gold in Spurs deal over £22.5m-rated "freak of a talent"...