Tottenham have reportedly been given the green light to fill one of the positions Antonio Conte still wants to upgrade, with a move for Lucas Paqueta now firmly on the cards.
The 24-year-old attacker is capable of playing in a number of forward positions but is more suited to featuring as a No.10, a role that Conte has yet to really fill and one that led to links to Spurs legend Christian Eriksen before he joined Manchester United.
The Brazilian, who plays for Lyon, is regarded as a dynamic playmaker who can also feature on the right-wing.
And the Daily Mirror states that Tottenham have received a big boost in sealing his signature.
Paqueta was valued at £55million by the Ligue 1 giants. However, reports have emerged that the price has now been cut to a much more affordable £34m.
The report adds that sporting director Fabio Paratici moving for Paqueta is a logical step, given that the Lyon star can offer Tottenham something different in attack.
Paqueta contributed to 18 goals across 43 games in all competitions last season. Those figures included 11 goals and seven assists as Lyon missed out on European football after an eighth-placed finish.
Much now depends on Paratici working his magic and offloading some players first.
Tottenham switch focus to outgoings
Sergio Reguilon is the latest to linked with an exit this summer. However, several other big names are on the chopping block.
Record signing Tanguy Ndombele remains a critical sale after he was left of the pre-season tour to South Korea.
Midfielders Harry Winks and Giovani Lo Celso were also left at home and are expected to be moved on.
And having already invested in Conte’s new squad this summer, it’s thought that sales are likely at this stage of the window.
But if the north London club can get a couple off their books quickly then a move for Paqueta will be sped up.
And they may have to take that approach, with Arsenal still known to be keen on a move.
The Gunners are looking at Paqueta after cooling their interest in Leicester’s Youri Tielemans.
To that end, Spurs may need to act fast to beat their north London rivals to the talented Brazilian.