TOTTENHAM are preparing for life with Jan Vertonghen by eyeing up a move for £22million-rated Rangers defender Borna Barisic.
Vertonghen, 32, is out of contract at the end of this season and appears to be no closer to signing an extension.
The Belgian played at left wing-back in the 1-1 draw at Burnley on Saturday with Ben Davies not involved.
Danny Rose is also nearing the exit door – his deal expires in 2021 but is currently on loan at Newcastle and his future looks set to be away from White Hart Lane.
Japhet Tanganga – who like Vertonghen can play at centre-back or full-back – will also be leaving if he is not offered a new deal beyond this campaign.
And now, according to 90min.com, Spurs want to bring in left-back Barisic.
The Rangers and Croatia ace, 27, has already featured 43 times this season for club and country, keeping 24 clean sheets.
He offers plenty going forward, too, and chips in with the odd goal, too, with two this term.
Barisic signed for Rangers from NK Osijek for just £2.2m in 2018 but is now worth ten times that thanks to his performances under Steven Gerrard at Ibrox.
It is understood plenty of clubs will be interested in him when the transfer window does reopen in the summer.
Roma considered a January offer but with Gers unwilling to sell mid-season, they look on course to test the waters again.
Barisic has 12 senior international caps to his name, making his debut in January 2017 against Chile and netting his first goal in March 2019 at home to Azerbaijan.
Despite being named in the preliminary 32-man squad for the 2018 World Cup, he was axed for the final 23 as Croatia reached the final in Russia.
Now, though, ahead of Euro 2020, Barisic has claimed the left-back spot to become a regular in the starting XI.
