Tottenham Hotspur are showing interest in Nikola Milenkovic and are set to carry out the groundwork over a potential deal in the coming days...

What's the word?

That's according to Italian newspaper Corriere Fiorentino (via Sport Witness), who claim that Spurs are among several teams eyeing the Serbian centre-back.

The likes of Serie A rivals Inter Milan and Juventus, as well as Atletico Madrid, are said to be keen.

It's thought that the north Londoners will do 'in-depth studies' over a move and that La Viola's asking price is in the region of €15m (£12m).

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Bargain signing for Spurs?

Spurs boss Antonio Conte has witnessed a busy summer in the transfer market so far, with sporting director Fabio Paratici sealing a total of six new players.

And he could seal a bargain seventh in the form of Milenkovic, who would add a lot to the Italian's backline.

They have already brought in Clement Lenglet from Barcelona on an initial loan deal but further strength in depth wouldn't hurt with the Lilywhites competing in the Champions League this term.

Conte will have to rotate his starting XI regularly to remain competitive across all competitions and two matches a week will soon become the norm, particularly this side of Christmas.

At just £12m, it would be a low-risk and wise investment from Paratici and co as the Fiorentina colossus has excelled in recent seasons. Last term, he finished the campaign as La Viola's fifth-best performer, proving just how crucial he was to their form.

Whilst in the past, Milenkovic has been lauded as a "beast" by his former Partizan head coach Ivan Tomic and dubbed "the most talented centre-back Serbia have had since [Nemanja] Vidic" by Mozzart journalist Dejan Stankovic.

Interestingly, it's another Manchester United defender that he is similar to, according to FBref, who liken his statistical profile to that of Harry Maguire. That may send alarm bells ringing but that isn't necessarily a bad thing, given he is experienced in the Premier League and was good enough for Leicester City for the Red Devils to splash £80m on him.

Also via the same statistical website, the Serbia international ranked inside the top 6% for aerial duels won (76.7%) in the Serie A last season, which is hardly a surprise given he stands at a whopping 6 foot 5 and goes to show that he is an absolute monster in the air and one that can give Spurs a threat in either box.

Elsewhere, Milenkovic also ranked inside the top 10% for passes attempted (64.50 per 90) and the top 11% for passes completed (57.92 per 90), proving to be equally adept with the ball at his feet, just like a certain Maguire.

This sort of skillset is right up Conte's street, so Paratici must push ahead and submit a formal offer for the centre-back, who appears to be available for an absolute bargain this summer.

AND in other news, Spurs in "new discussions" to sign £42m "genius" this week, he's Conte's missing piece...