Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly prioritising the addition of a new midfielder before the summer transfer window closes in England on August 30.
After narrowly missing out on a top-four finish in the Premier League last season, Ange Postecoglou has overseen the arrival of five new signings, while 13 players have departed either on loan or permanently.
Striker Dominic Solanke is the club's record signing at around £65m, while teenage quartet Archie Gray, Wilson Odobert, Lucas Bergvall and Yang Min-Hyeok have also made the permanent switch to North London.
Meanwhile, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Tanguy Ndombele, Eric Dier, Emerson Royal and Oliver Skipp are some of the standout names who have departed, the latter of whom has joined Leicester City for an initial £20m.
Postecoglou recently confirmed that he expects more players to leave the club and also hopes that his Spurs squad will be strengthened with new additions in the final few days of the transfer window.
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Speaking to reporters prior to last weekend's 4-0 Premier League win over Everton, Postecoglou said: "A couple more [players] will go out, but we've done a fair bit of work over the last 12 months in terms of the squad.
"As much as the focus has been on getting guys in, we've changed the squad a fair bit, brought down the demographic a fair way.
"We've brought in footballers who are better suited to play the football we want to play moving forwards. So, there has been a lot of work done in that area from our perspective, but with a week to go there is still a little bit to do."
Spurs to prioritise midfield addition before deadline
According to Football Insider, Tottenham are 'prioritising' a move for a new centre-midfielder before the window slams shut after allowing both Skipp and Hojbjerg to leave the club.
The report adds that Spurs are aware it will be tough to land their top targets at this stage in the window, but they are nevertheless ready to make a move for a new midfielder.
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Spurs keeping tabs on Hackney
One midfielder who is believed to be on Tottenham's radar is Middlesbrough star Hayden Hackney, who has been linked with a number of Premier League clubs this summer.
GiveMeSport claims that Spurs have sent scouts to watch the 22-year-old in Boro's first two Championship matches this season as they consider making a late move for the England Under-21 international.
Hackney, who joined Middlesbrough's academy at Under-10s level, has made a total of 72 first-team appearances for the club and has established himself as a key player under head coach - and former Spurs midfielder - Michael Carrick.
Tottenham's Yves Bissouma, Rodrigo Bentancur, Pape Matar Sarr, Gray, Bergvall are all first-team options for Postecoglou in midfield, while Giovani Lo Celso has been linked with a potential exit.
Oliver Thomas
