Report: Agents of £9m alleged Tottenham target pushing for exit; third-choice at current club

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The representatives of Tottenham Hotspur linked defender Tomas Tavares are actively looking for a way out of Benfica this summer, according to A Bola.

Two years ago, Jose Mourinho paid £18 million to sign a teenage Portuguese full-back for Manchester United.

With the Mirror (23 August, page 58) reporting that the Spurs boss is keen to raid Benfica for 19-year-old Tavares, Tottenham could have their answer to Diogo Dalot before the transfer window slams shut in early October.

A 6ft 2ins full-back valued at £9 million, is the latest in a series of right-sided defenders linked with a move to north London as Mourinho looks to find an upgrade for the eternally error-prone Serge Aurier.

And while it is far from certain that Tavares will end up in England, given that rival suitors Atalanta have a superb track record when it comes to turning youngsters into stars, one thing is for sure – the Portugal U19 international will not be playing in Benfica’s first-team next season.

A Bola claims that he is third in the pecking order, behind Gilberto and the five-time Primeira Liga champion Andre Almeida.

As a result, Tavares’s agent are looking for a way out.

There is a chance that Tottenham could agree what is essentially a replica of the deal that brought Gedson Fernandes from Benfica to the English capital on London, on an initial loan with an option-to-buy clause included.