Tottenham Hotspur have emerged as surprise contenders to sign Carlos Baleba from Brighton, according to reports from the Daily Briefing.
Thomas Frank's side are hoping to add genuine quality to their side in order to start challenging for European football once again after a disappointing couple of years.
Despite winning the Europa League last term, Spurs finished 17th in the Premier League and are currently struggling in the bottom half this time around as they continue to struggle under Frank.
After selling Brennan Johnson to Crystal Palace, the focus is now on recruiting quality players who can improve the club's fortunes.
Tottenham Plot Shock Baleba Deal
Tottenham are now among the clubs interested in a deal to sign Baleba, as per reports from the Daily Briefing.
Described as 'exceptional', the Brighton star has emerged as one of the most in-demand stars in the Premier League with the Seagulls reportedly looking for around £86million for the star.
Spurs have joined Man United and Liverpool in the hunt for the midfielder, who has scored four goals in 96 games for the south coast club.
Thomas Frank's side have also been linked with a move to sign Red Devils' target Adam Wharton from Crystal Palace.
With Baleba away with Cameroon at AFCON, his future is unlikely to be decided until the summer when a number of suitors will battle it out for his signature.
No Talks Yet Held Over Baleba
Tottenham's interest in Baleba undoubtedly adds an extra element to the transfer saga, but no deal is expected to be done imminently.
Manchester United's interest has been long-standing with the club holding talks via intermediaries over a deal to sign him in the summer, but the Seagulls rebuffed them as they looked to hold on to their star man.
Sky Sports then reported on Friday night (2 Jan) that there had been new talks between the clubs over a deal to take the player to Old Trafford in January.
That, however, was rebuffed by Brighton's CEO Paul Barber. He told talkSPORT: "No call from Old Trafford. No call from anyone connected to Manchester United.
"We have no plans or desire to sell Carlos [Baleba] in this window, or in any future window, but we know he's a talented player and he's got a lot of options ahead of him in the future.
"For us right now, he's an important player in the second half of the season, and we're looking forward to getting him back from AFCON."
Where Baleba will be playing his football remains very much up in the air.