Sources: Tottenham lay groundwork for Sabitzer deal amid clear hint over Mourinho future
Tottenham are laying the groundwork to prise midfielder Marcel Sabitzer from RB Leipzig as they step up summer overhaul plans, Football Insider understands.
The Austria international, 26, is likely to leave the German club in the upcoming window after snubbing their attempts to tie him to a new contract.
A Spurs source has told Football Insider that Sabitzer is firmly on their radar after contact over a potential deal was first made in January.
He is believed to be a personal target of manager Jose Mourinho, just as Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg was last summer.
The Portugese believes the Austrian has the energy, physicality and technical ability to thrive in the Premier League.
Like the Inter Milan centre-back Milan Skriniar, Sabitzer has been identified by Mourinho himself rather than the Tottenham recruitment team.
He has subsequently been closely trailed in recent months.
The fact Tottenham are laying the foundations for a summer bid is a clear sign that the club are expecting Mourinho in remain in charge next season.
Football Insider revealed last week that the manager retains the backing of chairman Daniel Levy and he wants to give him another window to reshape the squad.
Sabitzer, who enters the final 12 months of his contract in the summer, has been hailed by ex-Spurs goalkeeper and Football Insider columnist Paul Robinson as a "sensational" player.
He is a regular goalscorer and creator from central midfield, a position Spurs are looking to strengthen.
The Leipzig man has scored seven goals and registered six assists as well from his 32 matches this season.