Spurs to pip rivals to the post for French starlet Florian Thauvin?

Tottenham, 14/5 with Coral to defeat Manchester City in their next Premier League outing, are still said to be tracking Marseille’s midfield magician Florian Thauvin, after apparently having their overtures rejected by the Ligue 1 club in January.

Spurs are now being tipped to make another move for the exciting attacking star, who can operate on either wing or behind the striker, and has also been linked to London rivals Arsenal and Chelsea.

Fleet-footed Thauvin would surely provide Tottenham, who have lacked spark at times this term, with a sprinkling of guile out wide, should the wingman opt for White Hart Lane.

Highly-rated in his homeland, France under-21 star Thauvin is yet to feature for Les Bleus at senior level, but is a prominent member of the new-wave of French talents threatening to emerge.

A burgeoning playmaker, the 22-year-old burst onto the scene last season, striking 10 times across all competitions for the Stade Velodrome side, but has struggled to live up to those standards this term.

With just five goals and seven assists this campaign, Thauvin still has miles to go before reaching his potential, and the inconsistent attacker, who was hauled off by Marseille manager Marcelo Bielsa last time out as his club were thumped 5-3 by Lorient, is far from the finished product.

Mauricio Pochettino has, however, proven he can work well with young players, after providing striking prodigy Harry Kane plus fledgling midfielders Nabil Bentaleb and Ryan Mason with platforms to impress upon.

The raw tools are certainly there for the Spurs coach to work with in Thauvin, and Spurs should certainly be seeking out top young talents. With the north London club set to miss out on the Champions League, and now striving for a Europa League spot, it may be wise for Pochettino to turn his attention to procuring players to develop himself.

With Christian Eriksen and Kane already at the club, Tottenham have plenty of forward threat, but supporting acts such as Nacer Chadli, Andros Towsned and Erik Lamela have often flattered to deceive.

Should Spurs (rank outsiders at 66/1 for a top four finish) beat their competitors to Thauvin’s signature, they would certainly be adding both depth and quality, but must not expect an ready-made star to arrive in their ranks, rather a project.