With five summer signings covering all areas of the pitch already, Antonio Conte's Tottenham continues to expand as a search for another centre-back addition goes on.
Having already signed Barcelona defender Clement Lenglet on a season-long loan that looked to give the Italian sufficient depth at centre-back, but with the possible departure of Joe Rodon and Japhet Tanganga, another defensive reinforcement is top of the list.
This is despite Djed Spence's imminent arrival from Middlesbrough also providing extra competition on the flanks for Spurs.
READ MORE: Tottenham agree Djed Spence deal with Middlesbrough star already at Hotspur Way for medical
Their free run at Spence won't be matched in the centre-back market, though, as key target Jules Kounde remains a choice for several of Europe's top clubs. The Frenchman has been embroiled in an ongoing transfer saga spanning 12 months now. He was originally close to joining Chelsea last summer but remained in Seville. With no progress made towards a move away this window, Spurs have looked to pounce.
Conte will face the task of persuading Kounde that north London is the destination for him, especially as Barcelona are thought to have agreed personal terms with him as well. The Spaniard's questionable financial actions mean that sanctioning a £60million deal could be complex.
Spurs' challenge has been made even harder again as Chelsea, who had been expected to rebuy Nathan Ake from Manchester City, have pulled out of that move and are gearing up towards Kounde again. Once again, it looks like any deal for the 23-year-old will go on well into the summer, and with Spurs' business having been conducted so quickly and concisely so far, it raises the question as to if engaging with the drama surrounding Kounde is actually worth it.
The club currently have six players capable of playing in centre-back, which gives them ample backup for a three-man defence, but if there were to be one or two departures from that list, it would create the necessity for an extra body.
This could put Conte in a tough situation as to whether he should stick or twist. The Italian could wait for the sales but leave himself short if the deals aren't sorted out quickly, or he could act now and attempt to bring in Kounde or another target but have an abundance of players, some that he might not trust, clogging up squad positions.
With Alessandro Bastoni no longer an option for now and Gleison Bremer also similarly unlikely this window, Spurs do now have a crucial decision to make. Lenglet's move is only temporary, though with an option to buy included, but with Tanganga and Rodon requiring first-team minutes if there isn't a centre-back signed this window, it could leave them short in the distant future.
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