Tottenham Hotspur are still riding on the euphoria of winning the Europa League, salvaging something from a wretched 2024/25 campaign that led to a 17th-place Premier League finish and Ange Postecoglou's dismissal from his post.
It was a contentious call, to be sure, but Spurs' triumph could not and did not detract from the abject domestic form that highlighted so many flaws in the squad, injury-hit though it was.
With Thomas Frank now at the helm, there are plenty of reasons for the Lilywhite faithful to be excited, especially since the success on the continent, beating Manchester United in the final, has rolled out the carpet into next term's Champions League proper.
While Frank and the club's fanbase are hoping to see some exciting new forwards welcomed to the fold, Tottenham also need to address their defensive deficiencies.
Incomings are needed, with the potential sale of one of the outfit's superstars playing into that.
The latest on Spurs' defensive situation
It's clear that Tottenham need to strengthen at the back, especially as Cristian Romero is at the top of Atletico Madrid's summer shopping list and could be sold in the next few months.
Despite finalising a deal for Kevin Danso, it's clear that the Londoners need some added quality in defence; too often last season (and in 2023/24), the club's fragilities were heightened when Romero and Micky van de Ven were absent - and setbacks have been commonplace for the imperious centre-half pairing.
According to transfer insider Ben Jacobs, Tottenham have joined Inter Milan in lodging an official enquiry for Genoa defender Koni De Winter.
While the suitors have yet to place official offers on the table, discussions are ongoing and Genoa would be willing to do business for a fee in a region of €25m (£21m).
What Koni De Winter would bring to Spurs
Joining Genoa from Juventus in a deal worth €10m (roughly £8m) in 2024, De Winter has enjoyed a standout season for Genoa, featuring 25 times and scoring three goals. He would have featured more prominently, but for a hamstring injury sustained in October, keeping him out for two months.
Having previously played at the Luigi Ferraris Stadium on loan the term before, the Belgium international has enjoyed steady progress in Italy and could now be ready for a move to the Premier League, emulating his countryman Jan Vertonghen in playing for Tottenham.
As per FBref, the 23-year-old ranked among the top 3% of central defenders across Europe's top five leagues last season for goals scored, the top 9% for touches in the attacking box, the top 10% for aerial duels won and the top 14% for ball recoveries per 90.
A ball recovery is defined by the number of loose balls recovered by a player.
De Winter's flair for the attacking side of the game further suggests that he could be Vertonghen's heir down N17 in more than just nationality, with journalist Antonio Mango even saying "his in-game intelligence is unreal".
Moreover, De Winter's versatility and athleticism lend themselves to a wider berth, having featured five times as a right-back for Genoa. The left-footed Vertonghen was dispatched on the left numerous times across his long Spurs career for similar reasons.
Vertonghen, now 38 years old, played 313 times for Tottenham after signing from Ajax for just £10m in 2012, with his career in the Premier League leaving him regarded among the finest defenders of his generation, partnered mainly with countryman Toby Alderweireld.
Big boots to fill, but De Winter has the versatility and technical confidence to forge a successful career for himself in the English capital, emulating his Belgian icon.