Tottenham Hotspur could finally axe Tanguy Ndombele with a move for Frank Kessie this month, and he's available for a bargain price...

What's the word?

According to Italian journalist Sandro Sabatini, AC Milan are willing to part ways with the out-of-contract midfielder for just £10m before deadline day.

Spurs are able to secure the Ivory Coast international on a pre-contract agreement for nothing but that would not see him make the switch to north London until the summer.

"Milan, from what I understand, if they receive a reasonable offer for Kessie's remaining four months, they will sell it. Ten million? Yes, and Tottenham can buy it for 10 million," he told Radio Radio (via Calciomercato.it).

Bye-bye Ndombele

After an inconsistent two-and-a-half years at the club, in which four different managers have been appointed in some capacity, it appears that patience is finally wearing thin over Tottenham's club-record signing.

'It is hard to see a future for Tanguy Ndombele under [Antonio] Conte,' wrote the Evening Standard's Dan Kilpatrick recently, whilst Football Insider pundit Noel Whelan suggested:

"I'm pretty sure the player knows the destiny of his career at Tottenham. If it is something that if can be sorted out in January with a loan or a sale, I’m sure it’s happening. If not they’ll still be looking to make that move happen for Ndombele in the summer."

Kessie, who the Italian head coach will know from his time at their San Siro rivals Inter, would be a much better fit for his system at Spurs.

The 6-foot midfielder, once lauded as an "extraordinary player" with "sublime intelligence" by former Rossoneri boss Vincenzo Montella, continues to be a standout performer in Milan.

Just like last season, he ranks second for total goals scored behind Zlatan Ibrahimovic and is third overall for average rating, having also managed 1.3 tackles, 1.1 key passes and 0.9 dribbles per game, via WhoScored, too.

The £26m-rated beast's playing style has earned comparisons to Yaya Toure, who was a beast in his prime in the Premier League for Manchester City, and perhaps he is the player that Spurs had hoped Ndombele would be.

"I want Kessie in my team, he scores, he assists, he has personality, he has quality, he doesn't lose the ball, he's intelligent," claimed Antonio Cassano (via MilanLive). "I'm watching him carefully, with Roma it was devastating. It reminds me of the Yaya Toure of the best times. He is a different player, but in terms of impact. He is holding Milan's midfield alone."

On the above evidence, it would make sense to finally shift Ndombele, who was once dubbed "unplayable" by Joe Hart, on and then replace him for just £10m with Kessie. That seems like a massive steal right now.

AND in other news, Forget Sanchez: £74k-p/w disaster who made 9 passes must never play for Spurs again...