With Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Rodrigo Bentancur in impeccable form for Spurs so far this season and both Oliver Skipp and Yves Bissouma waiting in the wings for first-team opportunities, central midfield is perhaps the only position on the pitch Antonio Conte does not need to strengthen.
Injuries to Dejan Kulusevski and Richarlison at the same time along with Son Heung-min's recent absence, has seen Spurs' lack of depth several exposed especially as Conte favours a system with three forwards. Harry Kane has played nearly every minute of Spurs' 21 competitive games so far this season with Conte not fully trusting Bryan Gil or Lucas Moura to deputise for any of those injured.
There have also been significant problems at the back with several defenders making mistakes that have led directly to goals, causing Spurs to have 21 Premier League goals conceded, the most of any team in the top eight.
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Spurs were in the market for a central defender with constant links throughout the summer to Inter's Alessandro Bastoni but the deal was to complex to complete with Clement Lenglet arriving on-loan from Barcelona instead.
Cristian Romero's injury issues and the recent struggles of Eric Dier, contrasting his excellent start to the season, have made it clear that Conte needs more defensive options and Spurs will be in the exact same place as they were in last season, with Lenglet heading back to Spain.
A January arrival in defence would be extremely smart as it would allow time for the new acquisition to adapt to Conte's demands with Frankfurt's Evan N'Dicka a tempting option especially as reports indicate he could be available for as little as £7million with his contract up in the summer of 2023.
However, a new target has emerged and it is a player who would likely have no issues understanding what Conte expects of him as the pair worked together in Italy.
Dutch defender Stefan de Vrij is wanted by Conte in January, according to CMW, with the 30-year-olds contract up in 2023, although his agent plans to hold talks with the Italian giants over a new deal, but if the negotiations are held up, Spurs could pounce in January.
Understandably, after guiding Inter to the 2020/21 Scudetto, Conte wants to bring several of the players who were crucial in that campaign to join Ivan Perisic in north London after he arrived on a free in the summer.
De Vrij has now become the third Inter defender linked with Spurs following in the footsteps of Alessandro Bastoni and Milan Skriniar as Conte attempts to overhaul the Tottenham defence with a heavy influence of ex-Inter players.
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