Noel Whelan has backed Tottenham to sign Juventus veteran defender Leonardo Bonucci after reports linking them to the Italian.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, suggested the 35-year-old could have a similar impact to Thiago Silva at Chelsea or Raphael Varane at Man United.
According to Italian outlet Calciomercato (16 October), Bonucci is set to leave Juventus in the January transfer window after a breakdown in relationship between club and player.
The report claims Antonio Conte, who managed the 118-cap defender between 2011 and 2014, is interested in bringing him to Tottenham.
Conte has already raided his former club to bring Cristian Romero, Dejan Kulusevski, and Rodrigo Bentancur to London.
Whelan talked up the impact Bonucci could have on Spurs, even if he only committed to a two-year contract.
He told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “Look at Thiago Silva, look at Varane now.
“You can never have too much experience. He looks like someone who keeps himself in good nick.
“He’s fit, professional. Players like that bring a new dimension to a football club. He’s a serial winner with a really competitive nature.
“He won’t be coming to Tottenham, if he does, to just see out the rest of his career. He’ll be helping a team be successful.
“It wouldn’t surprise me if that did materialise, and what a player Tottenham would get – even if it is for only one or two seasons.
“He could bring a lot with his mentality, he can definitely be like Thiago Silva”.