Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly in pole position to sign Italian star Nicolo Fagioli.

Fagioli has been at Juventus since 2015 and has made 65 appearances in all competitions since coming through the youth system. However, the seven-time Italy international missed much of last season after being suspended for gambling offences.

Thiago Motta took over as Juventus head coach in the summer and Fagioli has been unable to return to the team since his return. The 23-year-old has started just five Serie A games this season, playing just 36 per cent of the time - although he has played a further 205 minutes in four Champions League games.

Reports (via Spurs Web) suggest Juventus could allow Fagioli to leave the club in January for a minimum of £20.7m.

A number of Premier League clubs have been briefed on the midfielder's situation, including Fulham, Crystal Palace, West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur. But it looks like the latter has the upper hand in the race to sign Fagioli, who wants to join the biggest clubs to increase his chances of playing European football.

Fagioli - who has also attracted interest from French giants Marseille - has apparently been a target for Ange Postecoglou for more than 18 months.

Former Juventus defender Sergio Pollini has suggested the club could sell the Italian midfielder, who earns €53,462 per week according to Capology, if they get the chance.

“If the right amount were to arrive, I would honestly sell him,” said Porrini. “In this Juve, there is no star. So, everyone is important and no one is indispensable.”

When asked about the possibility of signing players to aid his injury-hit squad in January, Spurs boss Postecoglou responded: “Yeah, I guess if the right players are there. Again it’s about making sure it’s something that’s going to help us continue to build on what we’re doing.”