Tottenham Hotspur will look to sign a new left-sided centre-back during the January transfer window after Micky van de Ven sustained an injury against Chelsea, according to the Evening Standard.
The Netherlands international was withdrawn in the first-half during the 4-1 loss to the Blues on Monday night due to a hamstring injury, and while Spurs are still waiting to know how long he will be out for, they reckon the summer signing could spend an extended time on the injury sidelines.
As a result, Bournemouth centre-back Lloyd Kelly has been identified as a target after they tried to sign him during the summer transfer window.
Spurs coach Matt Wells, who is in charge of the first team’s defensive unit for manager Ange Postecoglou, worked with the 25-year-old at Bournemouth under Scott Parker, and is an admirer of the former England youth international.
The Cherries are braced for a fresh approach for Kelly and he is expected to be available for a cut-price fee as he is out of contract at the end of the current season.
He has been involved in eight games across all competitions for the struggling club this term and could be willing to join a team at the top end of the Premier League table in January.
Kelly can also play at left-back as he is left-footed, and he is likely to accept being a squad player at Tottenham.
Landing him would also count towards the North London club’s homegrown quota, and he has the quality to force himself into the starting XI at Spurs.
Being without Van de Ven until next year will be a huge blow for Tottenham given how influential the 22-year-old has been in central defence alongside Cristian Romero.
They will have a new-look defence going forward with the Argentina international also set to miss the next three games following his red card on Monday, and Spurs will have a couple of targets on their radar ahead of January alongside the Bournemouth star.
