Tottenham March Ahead of Arsenal in Signing Southampton Midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin

Tottenham Hotspur are considering a move to sign Arsenal midfield target Morgan Schneiderlin, according to the Express.

The French international's future at Southampton remains uncertain and he has been on the Gunners' radar since May. Arsene Wenger eyes his compatriot as a long-term replacement for Mikel Arteta at the Emitares.

The White Hart Lane club appointed Mauricio Pochettino from Southampton as their new manager for the next season. Schneiderlin worked under the Argentine boss at St Mary's Stadium and is a massive fan of the midfielder. The 24-year-old is also an admirer of his former manager.

Pochettino has informed the Spurs' hierarchy that he is keen on landing the Saints midfielder in the summer transfer window. It was earlier believed that Arsenal were closing in on securing a £20m deal for Schneiderlin.

However, the Spurs have now marched ahead of their north London rivals as talks have reached an advanced stage with Southampton in bringing the French midfielder to White Hart Lane.

The Spurs have already started negotiating personal terms with Schneiderlin, but Pochettino's side are yet to settle on a transfer fee with the Saints. Southampton have already lost Rickie Lambert and Adam Lallana to Liverpool and Luke Shaw to Manchester United this summer.

The Saints have made it clear that they would not let any of their players leave St Mary's Stadium. However, the club knows it would be difficult for them to retain Schneiderlin, especially when he has hinted he could leave Southampton in the ongoing transfer window.

"Listen, I'm aware of Southampton's situation. On a personal level, the club know my position and know what I want to do. I had a good conversation with all the directors," Schneiderlin stressed.

"I've been there for a long time now. We'll see how things go, but the directors know my position and what my intentions are. Everyone has ambitions, everyone has his own future in his hands, so we'll see. Every player wants to play on big occasions."

Should Pochettino convince Schneiderlin to snub Arsenal for the Spurs, it would be a massive blow for the Gunners as they have long been monitoring the French midfielder.