With the season drawing to a close and the transfer window just on the horizon, Tottenham Hotspur are amongst a host of clubs being linked with a move for Fulham starlet Ryan Sessegnon.
Whilst the youngster has enormous potential and should go on to achieve great things in the game, Spurs may want to consider alternative options as they plan their summer shopping list.
Celtic’s Kieran Tierney has been making impressive strides north of the border and was linked with a move to Mauricio Pochettino’s side as recently as last week in the Scottish Sun.
A rampaging left-back who loves to break forward from defence, the Scotland international could be a long-term replacement for Danny Rose in the Tottenham line-up.
The 27-year-old missed the early part of the season with a knee injury and has struggled to regain the form that saw him play such an instrumental role in recent campaigns, leading to speculation that he could be sold in the coming months.
Ben Davies has been keeping Rose on the bench, but whilst the Welshman has enjoyed a solid term for the Lilywhites, there are still question marks over whether he offers enough as an attacking outlet.
All of that means that Tottenham are likely to be in the market for a left back and taking a punt on Tierney over Sessegnon may be the smart move.
Firstly, the 20-year-old’s price tag is likely to be considerably lower than his teenage counterpart.
The Sun reported Sessegnon’s value to be around £25 million only last month, but after a red-hot streak of form culminated in a slurry of end-of-season awards for the prodigy, that is now expected to be significantly higher.
If he goes to the World Cup with England, admittedly a long shot at present, it could conceivably soar to over £50 million.
Tierney, on the other hand, plays his football in Scotland, traditionally a cheaper market, meaning he could be available for as little as £20 million.
That would represent a bargain in the modern game and with Spurs moving into a new stadium next term, money is undoubtedly going to be a factor.
Moreover, there is the fact that Tierney has three years on 17-year-old Sessegnon and as such should be primed to go straight into the first team.
He would also bring Champions League experience and, crucially, a winning mentality from the all-conquering Celtic side that have flourished under the management of Brendan Rodgers, who employs a similar style of play to Pochettino.
Perhaps most importantly, though, Tierney is a natural left-back and that is the position that needs filling.
Sessegnon started his career there but has gravitated up the pitch this term and the sense is that he could be used in an even more advanced role in the future.
He is an exciting proposition and would make a fantastic signing, yet whether he is one that Tottenham desperately need right now is up for debate.
If both players can be acquired in the summer then that would be superb business, but if it comes down to a choice then Tierney may well prove to be the more sensible option.