Scouting Tottenham Transfer Target Quincy Promes

Tottenham had the most prolific attack for much of the last Premier League season.

They were eventually pipped by Manchester City but still finished as the division's second-highest scorers.

Manager Mauricio Pochettino's system relies on a three-man attacking midfield creating chances for Harry Kane while also threatening the opposition goal themselves.

The first-choice trio of Erik Lamela, Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen all enjoyed fine, prolific seasons and are unlikely to be displaced by a summer signing, but Spurs need a higher-quality reserve option.

Nacer Chadli is not of the requisite quality, Heung-Min Son is still finding his feet in English football, and Clinton Njie remains a relative unknown after an injury-wracked first season.

Tottenham need a deeper pool of talent in attacking midfield and Spartak Moscow's Dutch winger Quincy Promes.

According to Simon Jones of the Daily Mail, Tottenham are the leading English club in the race to secure his signature this summer.

Pochettino has reportedly scouted Promes in person, suggesting the interest is more than just paper talk.

Arsenal also have an interest in acquiring Promes, according to Russian newspaper Izvestia (via Mark Brus of the Metro).

Promes has been tipped as a regular for the Netherlands in the near future after two prolific seasons in the Russian Premier League where he has twice been Spartak's highest scorer.

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He shares Surinamese dual-nationality with, among other Dutch luminaries, Patrick Kluivert, Clarence Seedorf, Ruud Gullit and Frank Rijkaard.

What are his strengths

Promes' greatest strengths are his pace and movement.

Unusually for a player considered to simply be a winger, Promes regularly finds dangerous attacking positions and acts as an auxiliary forward. He played through the middle on a number of occasions for Spartak last season.

Speed is always a valuable trait, and Promes has more than most.

His ability and willingness to move beyond the striker and threaten the opposition goal make him a more flexible option, and his wickedly powerful shot means he is always a threat.

He is a capable crosser of the ball when in space and has been among Spartak's the most prolific creators over the last two seasons.

Where does he play

Promes takes penalties with his right foot but is two-footed and equally at home on either flank. He is generally deployed on the left side of midfield for Spartak.

Positional discipline is not a particular strength for Promes, but given that Spurs' attacking three play with great fluidity, that would not necessarily count against him.

This was Lamela's position last season, and the Argentinian had a brilliant campaign.

A former teammate of Chadli at FC Twente, Promes could be his replacement as a regular substitute and deputy for European and cup competition.

Would he fit Spurs' style

Promes has the tactical flexibility and intelligence to fit in Pochettino's squad.

He is quick-footed and regularly plays one-twos, using his great pace to break into space.

Clever and daring in possession, Promes can be occasionally wasteful but makes things happen and can be compared in that way to Dele Alli.

He is not known to be a particularly hard worker in defence, but that is a skill that can be learned.

There is no doubting his athletic capacity, and Pochettino can turn even the most reluctant runners into aggressive tackling machines.

How much would he cost

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Promes cost around €15 million when Spartak signed him, and he has been among their finest players since.

Their valuation of him is unlikely to have fallen.

However, his contract expires at the end of the 2017-18 season. Spurs will not be compelled to pay full price as Spartak would be loath to lose him on a free transfer.

Spartak director Sergei Rodionov states the club has offered to double Promes' wage in an effort to convince him to extend his current deal, according to Russian media outlet Lenta (via Olly Dawes of HITC Sport).

If Promes does not sign a new deal, Tottenham should be able to acquire him for around €20 million.

That would represent a small profit for Spartak, and Spurs would have a talented, young player for a reasonable fee.