Exclusive: Tottenham given encouragement in Leicester player pursuit

Founder & Managing Director AUTHORITY Former chief correspondent at Evening Standard, Goal and Press Association with nearly three decades in national, regional and digital news and sports journalism. Wayne directs the network’s news strategy and high-level operations. FOCUS Editorial direction for the 11-site network and newsroom management. THE BRIEF Wayne oversees the network’s editorial standards across the network. He provides the final sign-off on all headline scoops, ensuring content across all platforms meets the standards required for a high-velocity newsroom.

Published on:

09 Nov 2019, 5:30 am

Tottenham have been given encouragement in their long-running pursuit of Leicester City star Demarai Gray, Football Insider understands.

The club have been making regular checks this season on some of their Premier League rivals' attacking players ahead of January and next summer.

A Spurs source has told Football Insider that the recruitment team are encouraged by the fact that Gray, 23, is not a regular starter in Brendan Rodgers' third-placed side.

The winger is predominantly used as a substitute and this was to good effect as he created Jamie Vardy's match-clinching goal in last weekend's 2-0 win over Crystal Palace.

As revealed by Football Insider, Gray is on Tottenham's radar along with youthful fellow English youngsters James Maddison and Ashley Barnes.

There is intense competition for Maddison from the Premier League elite and the Londoners fear his price will soon be beyond their reach.

A deal for Gray would be far less problematic - and cheaper - as the former England Under-21 international has yet to translate his immense promise into consistent matchwinning performances.

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino is a firm admirer of Gray and believes his dynamism and electric pace makes him a major asset.

Spurs bid for him before he signed his Leicester contract in 2017 and have continued to track his progress.

He has now accumulated 147 appearances for the Foxes since signing from Birmingham City, accumulating 11 goals and 15 assists.

However, he has started just one league match this season and his other six appearances in the competition have all been as a substitute.

In other Tottenham news, it can be REVEALED that the club have received an emphatic answer after tabling defender offer.

Tottenham Hotspur

Leicester City