COMMENT By Will Butcher

Tottenham have overlooked what could have been a perfect replacement for Kyle Walker after former Spurs right-back Adam Smith signed a new four-year deal with Bournemouth.

Eddie Howe's Cherries confirmed on their official website that the 26-year-old right-back has put pen to paper to commit his future to the Premier League side, lasting until 2021.

This comes after the Sun reported that Mauricio Pochettino's side wanted Smith for a second time.

Spurs need a new right-back after they sold England international Walker to Premier League rivals Manchester City for a huge £54million.

It leaves the north London outfit with just Kieran Tripper on the right side of defence, without confirming a replacement as of yet or any summer signings for that matter.

Smith has established himself as one of the Premier League's most impressive right-backs, after helping the Cherries gain promotion in 2014-15 before starring in the side during the last two seasons in the top flight.

Football Insider believes Spurs should have looked to sign the defender this summer in order to replace Walker, with Smith's 2016-17 stats proving to be just as good as Walker's:

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Huge profit on Walker transfer fee

Although it is unclear how much Smith may have cost should Spurs have entered the market for the England youth international, he would have not commanded the huge transfer fee received for Walker.

Smith would have cost between £15million and £20million, and although he is not at Walker's level, he is not far off the former Sheffield United ace.

Putting aside £35million of Walker's transfer fee after replacing him would have given manager Mauricio Pochettino license to improve his side in other areas of the squad.

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Something to prove

Smith made just two appearances for Spurs' first team and was instead often loaned out to other clubs in order to further his development.

It saw Smith play for the likes of Millwall, MK Dons and Derby, but had he been given a chance in the Spurs first-team he may have been another example of the north London side's top youth system.

If he had been given a second chance with Spurs, Smith would have had the bit between his teeth in order to prove to his boyhood club that they were wrong to let him go in the first place.

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Just as effective in final third

Last season, Walker was commended for his ability to get forward, with his pace and incisive crossing ability providing Spurs with six assists in 33 Premier League appearances.

Comparing that to Smith, Bournemouth also benefited from Smith's attacking exploits as he laid on five assists during his 36 league outings and even found the back of the net against Manchester United.

With similar stats going forward, Spurs have certainly missed a trick in deciding not to move for their former star.

In other Tottenham transfer news, Pochettino should look to rival north London enemies Arsenal for midfielder Rafinha this summer.

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