Tottenham Transfer News: Benjamin Pavard Urged to Stay at Stuttgart

Benjamin Pavard, a reported target for Tottenham Hotspur, has been urged to stay at VfB Stuttgart by the Bundesliga club's sporting executive, Michael Reschke.

Speaking to Bild (h/t Andy Wilson of the Daily Star), Reschke said:

"From being an exceptional talent, Benjamin Pavard is definitely on the way to becoming an international top player. We are the ideal club for him right now and he feels that. If, in the future, a club from Europe's top 10 shows real interest, we'll sit down. Benjamin and his agent are aware of it."

While Reschke left the door open for offers, he also made it clear the club won't be looking to sell such a gifted centre-back anytime soon: "But if this summer a club believes they can sign him for €30 million (£26.5 million), this club is profoundly wrong. We wouldn't even open the door for such a talk."

The news may come as a blow to Spurs, with Wilson naming the Lilywhites among the growing list of suitors for Pavard. The list also includes German duo Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig, as well as Tottenham's Premier League rivals, Liverpool.

THOMAS KIENZLE/Getty Images

However, Wilson also detailed how "Bild reported earlier this month that Tottenham scouts have travelled to witness the central defender in action."

A scouting mission is a tangible indicator of Spurs' interest in the 21-year-old France international, who can also operate at right-back.

The interest is timely while the future of key defender Toby Alderweireld remains in doubt.

The former Atletico Madrid man is a target for Manchester United, according to Neil Ashton of The Sun, who reported the problems Spurs are facing trying to get their talisman at the back to sign a new contract:

"And he is unhappy at the club's latest contract offer of £110,000 per week plus bonuses, seeking closer to £140,000 a week. If Spurs cannot agree a new deal, a clause in his contract means Alderweireld will be available for £25m in 2019."

Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

Alderweireld is the linchpin of a solid Tottenham defence, but he's also 29. Fellow Belgium international Jan Vertonghen is 30.

Spurs started a refresh at the back when they paid £42 million to sign Davinson Sanchez, 21, from Ajax last summer. However, Argentina under-20 international Juan Foyth has yet to make an impact apart from appearances in the domestic cup competitions.

Replacing Alderweireld—or at least providing insurance in case he doesn't agree a new deal—with the signing of a burgeoning talent like Pavard would be in keeping with Tottenham's recruitment model of recent years.

Manager Mauricio Pochettino has shaped a youthful core, but judging by Reschke's words, Spurs will have to wait for a better chance to sign Pavard ahead of the competition.