Tottenham Hotspur are supposedly one of five teams showing interest in Genoa's defensive starlet Koni de Winter, who has been dubbed the 'next Vincent Kompany'.
The highly-rated Belgium international came through the Juventus youth system but failed to make the grade in Turin, and he was sold to Genoa for just £6.7m in the summer of 2024.
De Winter has excelled under the wing of Patrick Vieira, though, registering three goals in 25 assists this season, helping Genoa secure Serie A survival as they sit 13th in the table.
The 22-year-old's exploits in Italy have not gone unnoticed, as it was reported a couple of months ago that Everton had earmarked him as a potential replacement for Manchester United-linked Jarrad Branthwaite.
Newly-promoted Leeds United have also been tipped to try to bring De Winter to the Premier League for next season, but the Whites and the Toffees could now face incredibly tough competition.
Tottenham 'admire' £25.2m Winter
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According to The Mirror, Tottenham are one of another five teams to have thrown their hat into the ring for the 2002-born defender, who could be available for a reasonable £25.2m in the summer window.
West Ham United and Crystal Palace are also said to be showing interest in De Winter, but Serie A title chasers Napoli and Inter Milan will try to prolong the centre-back's stay in Serie A.
De Winter - who stands at 6ft 3in tall - has earned comparisons to legendary compatriot Kompany in his homeland, and he has won two caps for the senior Belgium team, making his debut in March 2024.
The 22-year-old recently outlined his ambitions to play in the Champions League, which Spurs will qualify for if they can defeat Manchester United in Wednesday's Europa League final in Bilbao.
"Yeah, this is really a dream of mine. You know, when you hear the song of the Champions League it is something special," he told the publication.
"I think I just want to take everything out of this football career that I'm building. I like the experience that I'm making, I have a lot of stories to tell."
De Winter's contract with Genoa still has another three years to run, but the Italian side are not expected to stand in his way of an exit if an interested party comes forward with a suitable offer.
Spurs find possible Cristian Romero replacement in De Winter?
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At the start of Ange Postecoglou's reign, Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven formed a menacing centre-back partnership, but a cruel spate of injuries have decimated their partnership in recent months.
Nevertheless, Romero is said to have attracted the attention of both Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, and incoming Blancos boss Xabi Alonso is supposedly determined to bring the Argentine to the Bernabeu this summer.
De Winter would represent a younger, natural replacement for Romero should the South American be unable to resist the pull of the Bernabeu, but failure to win the Europa League could leave them vulnerable to an Inter or Napoli hijack.
Ben Knapton
