Tottenham "would love" to secure the signing of Juventus centre-back Matthijs de Ligt in the summer transfer window.
That's according to Daily Mail reporter Sami Mokbel, when speaking to GiveMeSport, with Spurs determined to bolster their defensive options under Antonio Conte.
Conte, who was appointed as Tottenham boss back in November, acknowledged on Sunday, following Spurs' third defeat to Chelsea in a month, that the north Londoners were far away from their rivals - in a thinly-veiled message to the club's owner Daniel Levy.
He said: "Today, for the performance I have to be proud of my players because we made a big effort and tried to do everything to get a big result.
"Then I have to think that in 14 days we lost three times to Chelsea. It means there's a different level between us and them.
"To lose three games in 14 days means they are much stronger than you, as a team and as a squad.
"You have to accept this but only after a performance like tonight. Because we tried everything to get a big result here. But sometimes it's not enough, especially when you play against this type of team. This club are on another level compared to us."
This is just the latest of Conte's remarks about Tottenham's squad not being as strong as their rivals, with the Italian clearly desperate for funds to bolster his options.
One area that Spurs have been linked with improving is the centre of defence. Now, according to Mokbel, the north London club are interested in signing Juventus defender De Ligt.
The Netherlands international, who is valued at £58.5million on Transfermarkt, still has two-and-a-half years remaining on his contract with the Italian club, but has been strongly linked with a move away from Turin in recent months.
Mokbel said: "De Ligt, I'm sure, would be someone that Tottenham would love to try and lure to the club next season. But they certainly won't be the only ones because he's a fantastic player."
What has been said on De Ligt's future?
De Ligt's agent, Mino Raiola, confirmed last month that the Juve centre-back wants to leave the club and that he is ready for the next chapter in his career.
Raiola said to NRC, via the Daily Mail: "(De Ligt) is ready for a new step... he thinks that too."
The agent also said this to NOT Voetbal last month: "I think we all know which clubs to mention here, and with all due respect, not clubs like Fortuna Düsseldorf. We will see this summer. Premier League? It can be Barça too, or Real Madrid or PSG."
So there definitely seems to be plenty of clubs interested in De Ligt - which is understandable given his talent - meaning Tottenham will not be alone if they want to pursue the signing.
