Tottenham Transfer News: Latest on Morgan Schneiderlin, Top Rumours

Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino is reportedly set to try and sign Manchester United midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin in January. The former Southampton star has struggled at United under boss Jose Mourinho, and is also a target for Premier League side Crystal Palace.

A report from Richard Gibson of the Sunday Mirror has stated Palace chief Alan Pardew is prepared to rescue Schneiderlin from his Old Trafford nightmare. Gibson also noted how Spurs have retained an interest in the holding player: "Tottenham had an August move for the player blocked and manager Mauricio Pochettino is sure to retain an interest, having also worked with the Frenchman at St Mary’s."

Gibson even pointed out how Mourinho is anxious enough to cash in on Schneiderlin, and he's even ready to accept a reduced bid: "Schneiderlin cost £25 million, but a fee of half that amount could persuade United to do business as Mourinho is keen to shed several players from his squad."

OLI SCARFF/Getty Images

Schneiderlin was indeed a key figure for Pochettino during the Argentinian's stint in charge of the Saints from 2013-14. Frenchman Schneiderlin was the anchorman at the base of midfield, an intelligent destroyer, also boasting the quality on the ball to pick astute forward passes between the lines.

At his best, Schneiderlin is a true deep-lying playmaker. It's no wonder Pochettino has previously shown interest in a reunion.

The player's agent, Pascal Boisseau, even told Sport Witness (h/t Liam Williams of the Daily Mirror) how Schneiderlin wouldn't leave United for north London on transfer deadline day of the summer window.

Meanwhile, Ian Ladyman of the Daily Mail reported Schneiderlin didn't leave Old Trafford in the summer because Mourinho wanted cover in midfield. Yet things have since gone sour for Schneiderlin this season.

He was substituted by Mourinho at half-time during United's recent UEFA Europa League defeat to Fenerbahce. The Daily Mail's Adam Crafton described how Schneiderlin "seems to have lost all his bite at United."

Pochettino is the right manager to get Schneiderlin's career back on track, provided he could make room for his former player. After all, Tottenham's squad is already well-stocked in defensive midfield positions, with Victor Wanyama and Eric Dier able to protect the defence.

OLI SCARFF/Getty Images

Poch could still use Schneiderlin if he adopts the same 3-4-3 system he played in the recent 1-1 draw with local rivals Arsenal, according to James Benge of the London Evening Standard. It's a system that puts Dier at centre-back and creates an extra berth in midfield.

The Wanyama and Schneiderlin partnership worked well for Pochettino at Southampton. It makes sense for him to want to revive it at Tottenham.