Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Oliver Skipp will likely leave the club this summer, and according to The Telegraph, newly-promoted trio Leicester City, Ipswich Town and Southampton are keen on securing his services.
The 23-year-old managed only 23 appearances last season. Most of them came from the bench. Skipp wants regular first-team football, which has been hard to come by under manager Ange Postecoglou.
The Spurs academy graduate can leave before the transfer window slams shut and could land at one of the new teams in the top flight.
Leicester lost Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to Chelsea and have not signed a replacement. They could turn to Skipp, offering him a reunion with former Spurs teammate Harry Winks.
Ipswich and Southampton are also looking to bolster their midfield options ahead of their Premier League campaigns. They both have the Harlow-born midfielder on their radar and could swoop for him.
Meanwhile, Tottenham continue to tread with caution in the transfer market but might be forced to up the ante soon.
Emerson Royal and Richarlison will likely leave the club this summer, and Spurs must bring in replacements.
The north London club are also in the market for attacking reinforcements, with AFC Bournemouth striker Dominic Solanke a top target. However, the Cherries are demanding the full £65m release clause.
Spurs are also interested in Wolverhampton Wanderers winger Pedro Neto but have not submitted an official bid. A swap deal involving Skipp is unlikely, as Wolves do not need midfield reinforcements.
Tottenham need a defensive midfielder in the ranks
The lack of links to a defensive midfielder must be worrying for Spurs fans. Postecoglou’s squad is crying out for a holding midfielder to sit at the base and break up opposition attacks.
Spurs need an anchor man to screen and protect the back four. With Skipp set to follow Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg out through the exit door, the North Londoners should ideally be rummaging the market for a new number six.
The club must prioritise signing a sitting midfielder to solidify their centre and prevent a repeat of last season’s defensive issues.