Tottenham will target a left-sided centre-back in the January transfer window after Micky van de Ven was ruled out for an extended period with a hamstring injury.
Van de Ven was substituted during the 4-1 defeat to Chelsea on Monday evening with a hamstring tear and is not expected to return to action until the new year.
The injury is a huge blow to Ange Postecoglou, with the Dutchman having been a key figure in Spurs’ strong start this season after signing from Wolfsburg during the summer.
The Evening Standard are reporting that reinforcements will be sought in January, with Spurs lacking depth in central defence. Emerson Royal and Eric Dier finished the game at Chelsea in an unorthodox central pairing, after Van de Ven’s injury and Cristian Romero’s red card.
Spurs signed England u-19 international Ashley Phillips from Blackburn Rovers last summer, but the 18-year-old made just 14 senior appearances for the Championship side before moving to north London.
Bournemouth defender Lloyd Kelly is understood to be a target and is out of contract at the end of the season.
However, the Cherries are reportedly reluctant to sanction his sale as the club fight relegation, despite the risk of losing the 25-year-old on a free transfer. Crystal Palace are also unlikely to sanction the mid-season sale of Marc Guehi, who Spurs have a long-term interest in.
Another option for Spurs could be Edmond Tapsoba. Spurs were linked with the Bayer Leverkusen defender last summer, before signing Van de Ven. Manchester United are also said to be admirers of the Burkina Faso international.
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