Scouting Tottenham Summer Transfer Target Alexandre Lacazette

Tottenham are marshalling their forces for a dual assault on the Premier League and Champions League this season, and those lofty targets mean they'll need reinforcements.

The priority in the summer transfer window must be a new forward.

Harry Kane has continued to over-perform expectations for two seasons, not just in terms of his output but also in his ability to stay fit.

Spurs produced their best season in decades with only one pure forward and they were exceptionally fortunate that he managed to remain near his physical peak for the duration. 

It would be reckless to double down on that strategy this season.

Tottenham's desperate need for a new striker has seen them linked with many of Europe's most prolific young forwards. From Marseille's Michy Batshuayi and Pescara's Gianluca Lapadula, per Sam Long of the London Evening Standard, to Dortmund's Henrikh Mkhitaryan, according to Paul Brown of the Daily Star; the transfer rumours have come thick and fast. 

The talk around Spurs' supposed interest in Lyon's Alexandre Lacazette, the most prolific player in Ligue 1 not named Zlatan Ibrahimovic, seems to carry more weight.  

Sami Mokbel of the MailOnline reported that discussions are underway. 

According to the Mirror (h/t ESPN FC), Lyon are demanding £30 million, while Tottenham's latest bid is significantly lower at around £24 million. 

Lacazette is under contract until 2019 so Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas holds a strong position in these negotiations. 

Should Spurs reach a deal, Lacazette would provide both a useful alternative and partner for Kane. 

Pochettino has prioritised tactical flexibility in his signings. 

Eric Dier, Dele Alli, Heung-Min Son, Clinton Njie and Toby Alderweireld have all played in multiple positions. Lacazette fits this description. 

Primarily a centre-forward, he can play in a support role or on the flank and spent his first three seasons in Lyon's first team playing as a winger. 

Remy de la Mauviniere/Associated Press

He has since made a Thierry Henry-esque evolution from wide attacker to central striker, blossoming as the main man in a growing Lyon side.

French football expert Jonathan Johnson told the Peoples Person that Lacazette is unlikely to struggle to adapt to the Premier League because of his well-rounded game. 

Lacazette might necessitate a change in formation but could also allow Kane to nominally play as a No. 10.

Pochettino toyed with that approach on occasion last season, bringing Lacazette's former Lyon team-mate Njie off the bench and deploying Kane in a more withdrawn role.

In that formation, Kane has space in which to create while Lacazette is freed up to attack defenders with his impressive pace. 

Standing shorter than 5'9", Lacazette is not much of a factor in the air. He headed the winner for France in the 2008 European U17 Championship but has scored just six headers in his Lyon career, according to Statsbunker. 

The majority of his goals have been right-footed shots from close range, but he is not simply a French Jermain Defoe. He also has 25 assists to his name in 205 career appearances.

Remarkably calm when a chance falls his way, Lacazette seems to have more time than those around him to assess the situation and choose the right option.

To a certain extent, that comes down to the dearth of quality opposition in Ligue 1, but he has the mentality of a top-quality forward. The brilliant backheel finish he produced against Zenit in the Champions League last season suggests he is at home among the elite.

Kane has never had the luxury of playing with such a flexible strike partner and Lacazette would thrive on the chances that Spurs' main man routinely creates for his team-mates.

It is notable how Lacazette places his shots out of the goalkeeper's reach in a comparable style to Kane's own highly accurate shooting.

He is also a significant threat on the counter-attack, an area in which Spurs could stand to improve next season.

Lacazette has picked up at least five yellow cards in each of his full seasons in Lyon's senior team, but that is unlikely to dissuade Pochettino who openly encourages his players to fight for the team. 

Michel Euler/Associated Press

What he lacks in height, he more than makes up for with aggression. 

Pace, aggression, finesse and tactical flexibility do not guarantee success, but they form an excellent foundation upon which Lacazette can reasonably be expected to thrive if Spurs can complete this deal.