Tottenham Hotspur are interested in a deal to bring Jose Maria Gimenez to the Premier League this summer.

What's the talk?

That's according to a report by Uruguayan media outlet Tenfield, who claim that Fabio Paratici is now plotting a bid for the Atletico Madrid centre-back - whom Diego Simeone is reported to have given the green light to leave the Wanda Metropolitano this summer, as long as he were to receive an offer in the region of €60m (£52m) for the defender.

However, Tenfield go on to state that Tottenham are not alone in their pursuit of the 27-year-old, with both Chelsea and Manchester United also believed to be keeping a close eye on the situation of the Uruguay international ahead of a potential move of their own.

Romero clone

Considering just how impressive Gimenez has been for Atleti ever since his arrival from Danubio FC all the way back in the summer of 2013, it is easy to see why Paratici appears keen on a deal to add the centre-back to Antonio Conte's defensive arsenal ahead of Tottenham's 2022/23 campaign.

Indeed, the £45m-rated talent has earned seasonal SofaScore match ratings of 7.00 or above in six of his last seven LaLiga campaigns for Simeone's outfit, with the only time the 27-year-old averaged a score lower than this number coming in 2019/20 - when which he still earned an extremely impressive rating of 6.99.

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The £82k-per-week defender has also been a constant force for Atletico in the Champions League, earning eye-catching SofaScore match ratings of 7.30 in 2015/16, 7.42 in 2016/17, 7.08 in 2018/19 and 7.20 in 2020/21 - having never dropped below a seasonal rating of 6.81 over his last seven campaigns in Europe's most prestigious club competition.

Furthermore, there are very clear comparisons that can be drawn between the Uruguayan who Jose Luis Perez Caminero claimed is a "natural talent, a fast defender who uses the ball well, a good marker and classy on the ball" and Tottenham's own Cristian Romero - the 24-year-old who stunned the Spurs faithful with his remarkable performances after his arrival from Atalanta last summer.

With the Argentina international being a tough-tackling defender who is adept at bringing the ball out from the back as well as possessing an eye for a line-breaking pass, Gimenez is very much a centre-back in the same mould as Romero - with the 27-year-old being particularly astute with his progressive passes.

Indeed, according to FBref, over the course of his club career, Gimenez has completed an average of 37.1 passes, covered 282.5 yards with progressive passes and 79.3 yards with the ball at his feet, won 1.28 tackles and made 1.45 interceptions per 90.

Meanwhile, also according to FBref, Romero has completed an average of 41.2 passes, covered 259.5 yards via progressive passes and 110.8 yards with the ball at his feet, won 2.73 tackles and made 2.28 interceptions per 90 over the course of his own club career.

As such, should Paratici manage to get a deal for the "outstanding defensive talent" - in the words of David Cartlidge - over the line ahead of Chelsea and United this summer, it is clear to see that the Italian sporting director could well have unearthed his next Romero at Tottenham - a prospect that is sure to excite both the Spurs faithful and Conte alike.

AND in other news: Conte approves move for "incredible" £9m signing, he'd give Spurs an "extra dimension"