Tottenham are preparing a third bid for Jan Paul van Hecke after having two offers rejected for the Brighton centre-back, reports Football Insider.
Spurs are moving to ensure their next season is nowhere close to the failings of the last, where they finished 17th in the Premier League, avoiding relegation on the final day.
They have already signed centre-back Marcos Senesi from Bournemouth and have so far made two attempts to add Brighton's Van Hecke in the same position.
As yet, Tottenham have had no luck, seeing bids of £40million and £50million rejected by the Seagulls, though it's reported they are increasingly confident of getting a deal over the line.
With that in mind, they are said to be preparing a third bid, with a £55million package being sent to Brighton.
Tottenham optimism explained
Insider Pete O'Rourke has explained Tottenham's optimism at getting a deal over the line for the centre-back.
He said: "We fully expect Tottenham to make a third bid for Van Hecke. He is a key target for them.
"Roberto De Zerbi is keen to be reunited with him after his time as the manager at Brighton.
"Brighton have turned down the first two offers because they're trying to get as much money as they possibly can for the centre-back.
"But they're not in the strongest positions here because he's only got one year left on his contract and they won't want to let him run that down and leave on a free transfer.
"Offers of £40m and then around £50m were rejected, but Spurs will come back with a slightly improved offer, of around £55m for Van Hecke.
"There is optimism that a deal can be reached and a third bid will be imminent."
It's unsurprising De Zerbi is putting so much stock in reuniting with Van Hecke, partly as it's believed Cristian Romero will be leaving Spurs, but also as only six players featured more often under him at Brighton than the Dutch defender.
He was a solid performer under the boss at the Amex and has continued to impress since De Zerbi's departure.
Should Van Hecke sign for Spurs, it's likely they'll have a first three centre-back options of him, Senesi and Micky van de Ven, which appears a better corps than their previous options.
