Tottenham battle Manchester United for Bournemouth defender | OneFootball

Tottenham Hotspur find themselves in a challenging situation, with injuries depleting their options at left-back.

While Destiny Udogie’s absence is a major blow, other key defenders, including Ben Davies and Micky van de Ven, are also sidelined.

This leaves manager Ange Postecoglou searching for solutions. Among the potential answers is Bournemouth's young star, Milos Kerkez, a player who has caught the attention of several top clubs.

Tottenham express interest in Milos Kerkez

Manchester United FC v AFC Bournemouth - Premier League | Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/GettyImages

Rumours of Tottenham’s interest in Kerkez have been circulating for weeks, and the 21-year-old seems like an ideal fit for the club’s system.

However, Spurs are not the only team in the race, with Manchester United reportedly leading the chase.

Milos Kerkez, currently playing for Bournemouth, has become a hot topic in the transfer market.

Journalist Ben Jacobs recently confirmed on The Last Word on Spurs Tottenham's interest in the player but acknowledged Manchester United’s position as the frontrunners.

Bournemouth, however, are reluctant to sell the defender in January and have set a steep asking price of £40 million.

Jacobs explained the situation: "Tottenham are there for Milos Kerkez, for example, along with Manchester United, who are probably the front-runners at this stage.

" I don’t think Bournemouth will sell in January. They want 40-plus million. But in the summer, Kerkez has got a new agent. So let’s wait and see."

Interestingly, Jacobs also pointed out that Manchester United’s pursuit of PSG’s Nuno Mendes could influence Kerkez’s availability.

Should United secure Mendes, Tottenham could find themselves in a stronger position to sign the player in the summer.

Ange Postecoglou’s calculated approach

Ange Postecoglou has been clear about his transfer philosophy. He has no intention of making panic buys or bringing in players who don’t fit the club’s long-term vision.

Speaking about potential reinforcements, Postecoglou stated: "I’m really reluctant just to bring in another body just for the sake of it. It’s got to be somebody who either fits into what we’re doing or he’s going to help us straight away."

With Ben Davies and Micky van de Ven expected to return soon, Tottenham may resist rushing into the market. However, if Kerkez represents a long-term investment, Spurs could prioritise the move.

Whether in January or the summer, Kerkez remains a promising target for a position that Tottenham desperately need to strengthen.

For now, Tottenham must decide whether to push for a January deal or wait until the end of the season. With Kerkez reportedly keen to remain in England, Spurs might still have an edge in the long run.