Tottenham Hotspur have been dealt a blow in their bid to bring Jakub Kiwior to the Premier League in the January transfer window.

What's the talk?

Transfer Focus

That's according to a report by Italian publication Tuttosport, who claim that Juventus have now joined the race to sign the Spezia Calcio centre-back this winter, with the Serie A giants willing to sign the 22-year-old in January before loaning the defender back to Spezia for the remainder of the current campaign - a prospect that is thought to tempt the 17th-placed side.

This is sure to have come as a blow to Fabio Paratici and Antonio Conte, with an earlier report by Spanish publication AS revealing that Tottenham are one of a number of Premier League clubs hoping to land the Poland international this winter - with Spezia believed to be demanding a figure in the region of €30m (£26m) in order to part with the youngster.

"Very positive surprise"

Considering just how impressive Kiwior has been in Italy so far this season, coupled with Conte's well-documented desire for defensive reinforcements in the January transfer window, it is not hard to understand why Paratici would be interested in a deal to bring the 22-year-old to north London this winter.

Indeed, over his 15 Serie A appearances in the current campaign, the £17.5m-rated talent has been a rock at the back for Spezia, making an average of 1.5 interceptions, 1.1 tackles, 3.7 clearances and winning 3.0 duels per game.

The £22k-per-week defender has also impressed in possession of the ball, creating one big chance for his side, in addition to enjoying an average of 59.2 touches, completing 38.9 passes - a success rate of 86% - and playing 3.6 long balls per match.

These returns have seen the player who Football Talent Scout Jacek Kulig claimed has been a "very positive surprise" and Fabrizo Romano previously dubbed "untouchable" average a very respectable SofaScore match rating of 6.83, currently ranking him as Luca Gotti's sixth-best performer in the top flight of Italian football.

Furthermore, according to FBref, the left-footer also ranks in the top 7% of centre-backs in Europe's big five leagues for blocks per 90, as well as the top 20% for interceptions, the top 21% for tackles and the top 17% for dribbles over the last 365 days - highlighting just how strong the 22-year-old is at the back, as well as his comfort in bringing the ball out from defence.

As such, considering just how much ability Kiwior already possesses, in addition to the youngster undoubtedly boasting huge scope for further development, it is indeed easy to see why Paratici and Conte would be keen on the Poland starlet in January, as the defender would certainly look to make an exceptional - if not surprising - addition to Spurs' current defensive options.