Tottenham Hotspur have held exploratory talks over one of their midfield targets ahead of the summer transfer window.
Ange Postecoglou‘s side were left wide open once again on the weekend as they suffered yet another embarrassing defeat on Tyneside.
In what is now back-to-back emphatic defeats at St. James’ Park, Tottenham‘s defence were exposed by a lack of protection from the midfield.
Of course, the defenders did not cover themselves in glory with all four of Pedro Porro, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven and Destiny Udogie playing their part in a dismal display.
But perhaps the most concerning issue to come out of the game is the lack of defensive cover provided by the Spurs midfield.
With James Maddison there to offer the creativity, Rodrigo Bentancur and Yves Bissouma had a lot to answer for.
But it seems as if Spurs are eyeing up another midfielder who will offer more creativity in attack.
They may not be the only European side to be showing an interest in the midfielder, though, with a number of clubs across the continent linked.
Tottenham have spoken to European club about Liverpool target
The midfield has been a real issue for Spurs over recent weeks with Postecoglou struggling to get the best out of the players from the start.
Yves Bissouma has been a regular in Postecoglou’s XI since the international break but the Mali midfielder is really struggling to find any form.
In the recent win over Nottingham Forest, both Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr were removed by Postecoglou at half time following underwhelming displays.
Rodrigo Bentancur and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg came on for the midfield pair and transformed the game for the better.
On top of their defensive issues from midfield, Spurs are also struggling in attack with Maddison really struggling to find his form from earlier in the season.
The creative midfielder is keeping Giovani Lo Celso out of the side with the Argentine already told he can move on in the summer if he isn’t happy with his game time at Spurs.
And now, according to Voetbalkrant, Tottenham have now held exploratory talks with Genk over their midfielder Bilal El Khannouss.
However, Spurs are not alone in their interest in the Moroccon with Liverpool, Atletico Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen and RB Leipzig also credited with an interest.
How Bilal El Khannouss compares to James Maddison this season
The Moroccon would not be arriving at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as a defensive option for the Lilywhites but more of a competitor to Maddison.
But he would be arriving from a far less significant league than the Premier League which will offer some uncertainties about how he would find the transition.
Statistics via FBRef.
At just 19-years-old, it would be a big ask for the midfielder to come in and uproot Maddison from the starting XI.
But recent games have shown Spurs need a player who can come in and replace Maddison when he is not performing to the levels which he showed in the early stages of the campaign.