Tottenham Hotspur have begun negotiations with midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur over a new contract, according to the Daily Mail.
Spurs want to secure the Uruguay international and keep him at the club for many more years after being impressed with his performances.
Bentancur has been a key figure in Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou this season, making 28 appearances despite serving an eight-match domestic suspension last year for comments made about teammate Heung-min Son in an interview in his homeland.
The 27-year-old is on a contract poised to expire at the end of next season, but Spurs are open to extending his stay in North London.
Per the report, Tottenham have opened preliminary discussions, though talks remain in the early stages with no agreement imminent. Further meetings are expected in the coming weeks as negotiations progress.
Since returning from an ACL injury he suffered in February 2023, Bentancur has been a crucial figure in the Tottenham squad.
He sits at the base of midfield and breaks up play, allowing his more attacking teammates to steam forward. Postecoglou highly values the South American midfielder, hailing him as an important player who goes under the radar and is eager to keep him at the club for the foreseeable future.
Tottenham still need another holding midfielder this summer
Tottenham must still enter the transfer market for an anchor midfielder in the summer window. Yves Bissouma has played in the absence of Bentancur but has been dreadful.
The Malian does not know when to take risks and when to release the ball. Spurs need to shift him off the books for a more reliable sitting midfielder to screen the defence.
Las Palmas star Dario Essugo is an exciting talent to consider, while Benfica man Florentino Luis is a sturdy disruptor. If Spurs want a more Premier League-proven option, Chelsea man Lesley Ugochukwu could be surplus to requirements, and Tottenham need to plot a swoop.