Tottenham and Chelsea go head to head as 26-year-old transfer scrap ramped up - report

By Danny Wright

Tottenham and Chelsea are set to go head-to-head in the battle to sign Bournemouth’s Adam Smith, according to a report.

The Sun claims that the Premier League leaders sent a scout to watch the 26-year-old play for the Cherries against Stoke last Saturday as their pursuit of the defender ramps up.

It is understood that the Blues will send another member of staff to keep an eye on Smith when his side welcome Burnley to the Vitality Stadium on Saturday.

The Sun reports that Spurs are thought to be looking for a new right-back to replace Kyle Walker, who is looking as though he could be set for a move away from North London in the summer with Manchester City keeping tabs on the England international.

Smith left Tottenham for Bournemouth in 2014 after making just two first team appearances for the club where he began his career.

He was sent out on loan to seven different clubs in his time at White Hart Lane, including the Cherries, Leeds, Millwall and Derby.

The former England Under-21 full-back has made 34 appearances in all competitions for the south coast club this season, scoring once and supplying five assists.

Smith has been a key part of Eddie Howe’s side for the past few seasons and has played 153 times for Bournemouth in domestic competitions playing at right-back, and sometimes right midfield.

Football Insider Verdict

It’s fair to say that not a lot of people would have predicted this high-profile interest in Smith, who has just two years of proper Premier League experience under his belt. It looks an ever increasing possibility that Walker could be on his way out of Tottenham in the summer with Manchester City circling, and although Smith would be a good signing, he wouldn’t be able to fill the whole left by the wantaway full-back. Current Spurs right-back Kieran Trippier is perhaps a better option in the role as he’s been a consistent performer for Spurs since he was signed from Burnley in 2015.  

In other Tottenham news, a chairman has responded to a fan's questions about signing this Spurs 21-year-old.

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