Tottenham expand transfer shortlist as Fabio Paratici eyes late Chelsea deal

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Tottenham are persisting in their attempts to bring in another centre-back before the end of the transfer window. Nuno Espirito Santo and sporting director Fabio Paratici have already brought in Cristian Romero from Atalanta, but Chelsea’s Kurt Zouma is the latest to join Spurs’ shortlist in what has been an active summer for them so far.

The Blues have shuffled things around in defence, with Trevoh Chalobah taking a far more prominent role during the early stages of the season.

They are also heavily linked with Jules Kounde, further evidence to suggest that Tuchel is not entirely satisfied with his current crop of defenders.

Zouma is one such player who the German seems to consider expendable, after he was allegedly tabled as part of the deal to sign Kounde.

The Frenchman was also linked with West Ham this summer, although Sky Sports report that he is now a target for Tottenham.

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Spurs have been actively scouring the market for a centre-back, despite the loan signing of Romero, who won Serie A Defender of the Year for his exploits with Atalanta last campaign.

Pau Torres and Kounde were two of their more ambitious targets, but both of them rejected the chance to sign due to the absence of Champions League football in north London.

Barcelona’s Samuel Umtiti could yet emerge as another target, with the Catalan side threatening to terminate his contract if he does not move on before the window closes.

However, it is Zouma whose name has recently been thrust into the mix, and he is the candidate who has had the longest chance to prove himself in the Premier League.

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Although he is yet to set the division alight, he has certainly proven himself capable at the top level and the prospect of staying in London is thought to be appealing to the 26-year-old.

His current Chelsea deal expires in 2023, and game time could become an issue if he opts to see it out at Stamford Bridge.

Zouma did not feature during the Blues’ Premier League opener against Crystal Palace. In fact, he has only started eight games since Tuchel’s January appointment as boss.

When it comes to a fee, Chelsea are thought to be holding out for £25million, a sum which is well within Spurs’ limits based on their recent activity.

A mammoth £76.5m bid was launched for Lautaro Martinez earlier this month, suggesting that Harry Kane’s departure could be imminent.

The approach was rejected, but if Kane’s exit materialised then Spurs would be rolling in the funds necessary to prise Zouma away from west London.

Nuno made an ideal start to the season when his side saw off defending champions, Manchester City, on Sunday. No doubt, he will seek to build on their early momentum with more decisive moves in the transfer market before the window slams shut.

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