/https://sportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net/uploads/2025/09/imago1060019331-1-68bfcc0811e58751578995.jpg "'Real chance' Spurs make January move for Mourinho-admired - Sports Mole")
Tottenham Hotspur supposedly have a 'real chance' of making a January move for a former academy defender as they seek to resolve their home-grown issues.
Thomas Frank's squad for the league phase of the 2025-26 Champions League campaign was recently confirmed, but the Lilywhites were unable to name the maximum 25 players due to a lack of association and club-trained players.
In order to name the full squad allocation, at least eight players must have either been part of Tottenham's ranks or another club in English football for three full seasons between the ages of 15 and 21, as per UEFA rules.
However, Tottenham were only able to call up 22 players for the first phase of Europe's premier tournament, meaning that Frank was forced to omit a couple of high-profile names.
As well as the injured James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, Radu Dragusin and Kota Takai, new signing Mathys Tel and experienced midfielder Yves Bissouma - who is still being heavily linked with an exit - were both left out of Frank's Champions League squad.
Tottenham have 'real chance' of making 23-year-old move in January
A "revengeful" Tel recently lifted the lid on his Champions League snub, but Tottenham are already making plans to rectify their home-grown problems and could apparently try to re-sign a former youth product when the window reopens.
According to TBR Football, there is a 'real chance' that the Lilywhites make a move for Sunderland left-back Dennis Cirkin over the winter, having been credited with an interest in the 23-year-old during the most recent window.
Cirkin was on the books in North London until 2021, and having represented the Lilywhites for at least three years between the ages of 15 and 21, he would count as a club-trained player for UEFA competitions.
The left-back played a critical role in Sunderland's promotion to the Premier League during the 2024-25 Championship campaign, but the Black Cats have since signed Reinildo Mandava and Arthur Masuaku, leaving Cirkin 'somewhat frustrated'.
The Dublin-born defender is also yet to make an appearance in the 2025-26 season due to a hand injury, although Regis Le Bris is hopeful of having him back in the ranks following the international break.
Tottenham could land Cirkin for 'significant' cut-price fee
Cirkin extended his contract with Sunderland back in the summer of 2023, but he has not put pen to paper since, and his current deal runs out at the end of the season.
As a result, the report adds that Tottenham may have the chance to re-sign the 23-year-old for a 'significant' cut-price fee in January, unless Sunderland run the risk of losing him for nothing when the season is over.
Cirkin never made a senior appearance for Spurs, but he was name-checked by then-head coach Jose Mourinho, who included him in matchday squads in the Premier League, Europa League and FA Cup.
"Heâs 17, but heâs a kid with a lot of quality, and I look forward to bringing him to train with us, and to help his development," TBR Football quotes Mourinho as saying back in 2020.
Since leaving the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Cirkin has scored eight goals and provided six assists in 116 matches for Sunderland in all competitions, including three goals and two helpers in 36 regular-season Championship matches last term.