Asier Illarramendi to Tottenham: Spurs consider making late move for Real Madrid ace - reports

Spurs seeking cover in midfielder after shaky start to new season

(Getty)

Tottenham Hotspur are mulling over the merits of making an offer for Real Madrid midfielder Asier Illarramendi, according to reports.

The 25-year-old Spaniard is surplus to requirements at the Bernabéu and has been linked with a switch to Liverpool and Arsenal but The Guardian report Spurs are now the most likely to secure his signature.

Southampton’s Victor Wanyama is thought to be another option as Mauricio Pochettino seeks a defensive midfielder to add some metal in the centre of the pitch.

Illarramendi joined Madrid from Real Sociedad in 2013 for £23m and has been linked with a return to his former club but is likely to welcome a move to the Premier League in light of the new TV deal.

Rafael Benítez, the Madrid manager, did not select Illarramendi in his matchday squad for Sunday’s 0-0 draw at Sporting Gijón on the opening weekend of La Liga.

The former Liverpool and Chelsea boss elected to start with Mateo Kovacic, the £30m signing from Internazionale, instead while Casemiro, too, was on the substitutes’ bench ahead of him.

Erik Dier has been playing in midfield for the beginning fixtures of the new Premier League season but, following the 1-1 away draw with Leicester City, Pochettino has been forced to act in the market.