Tottenham and West Ham 'send scouts' to watch defender in surprise transfer move as Crystal Palace 'monitor'

Tottenham are in need of adding more depth, especially in defence, due to the number of mounting injuries that they have had this season. Ange Postecoglou’s side lost 2-1 to Leicester City in their last match, a result that has ramped the pressure on the Spurs’ boss, and left them 15th in the Premier League title.

The Tottenham boss remains without defenders Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero, Destiny Udogie and Djed Spence who are all out injured. He will want to add a couple of names in the back-line in order to bolster the depth in his squad.

However, Spurs are yet to sign a defender in the transfer window, despite the glaring need. They have now been linked with a non-league defender in a shock transfer update, alongside Premier League rivals West Ham.

Tottenham and West Ham linked with 19-year-old non-league defender

Reports have emerged making a surprising link between Premier League clubs Tottenham and West Ham to Sutton United defender Jack Taylor, who has impressed at the level. Taylor’s development has accelerated in recent years, and could now be the latest non-league player to play in the Premier League, which isn’t a route-most travelled in many players’ footballing careers.

According to The Boot Room, Tottenham and West Ham have both been watching Taylor, with scouts sent to watch him during a recent Sutton United win against York City. In said game, Taylor was awarded the Player of the Match award.

The 19-year-old came through the academy at Sutton and has been on several loan moves. However, he is now a key part of the starting XI at the National League club. He was recalled from a loan at National League South side Hampton and Richmond Borough, where he made 23 appearances, impressing his parent club.

Sutton the decided to recall him, and Taylor has since made two appearances for them this month. Should Spurs or West Ham decide to sign the defender, they would likely send him back out on loan in order to continue his development, but he could be one for the future for both London clubs. The report also suggests that Crystal Palace, Charlton Athletic, Millwall and Peterborough United have also been monitoring Taylor, who could secure a big move ahead of the transfer deadline day.

Tottenham set to miss out on Champions League defender

Spurs have been linked to multiple defenders during the January transfer window as they aim to add depth at the back, to bolster Postecoglou’s squad, ahead of the run-in.

They were linked with Paris Saint-Germain defender Milan Skriniar, who looks set to leave the French capital during the January window. It had been claimed that they considered signing the 29-year-old, however he looks set to turn down a move to the Premier League.

Skriniar is set to join Turkish side Fenerbahce according to recent reports, meaning that Spurs will likely have to look elsewhere in order to strengthen in defence. He is now set to join up with former Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho in Turkey.