Tottenham target €20m Malaga midfielder Ignacio Camacho

Tottenham Hotspur have made an approach to La Liga side Malaga regarding a summer move for coveted midfielder Ignacio Camacho, reports in Spain have claimed.

The 24-year-old star is proving to be one of the sensations of La Liga this season and even earlier in the campaign was named by Vicente Del Bosque in the Spanish national team squad.

His performances in the middle of the park at La Rosaleda stadium have lead Malaga to an impressive seventh place in the La Liga table, and have caught the attention of a number of European clubs.

Having grown in the Atletico Madrid academy, it is said that manager Diego Simeone has earmarked him as the perfect replacement of Mario Suarez, who may leave the Vicente Calderon in the summer.

Meanwhile, Rafa Benitez's side Napoli are also closely monitoring the situation, while during the January transfer window Malaga sporting director Mario Husillos admitted that Inter Milan expressed interest in his services but the deal didn't go through as the Seria A giants refused to meet his €20m (£14.5m) release clause.

"I had just one call [about Camacho], not an offer, from Inter Milan. [Vice-president Javier] Zanetti called me and I told him that for this window, they'd have to pay his buyout clause fee, which is €20m," the Malaga sporting director explained.

While Liverpool are also said to be tracking his development now Spanish newspaper MARCA reveals Tottenham have been the latest to join the race to secure the Spaniard.

According to the reports, Spurs have already contacted Malaga officials to express their interest in the player should they accept to negotiate his departure.

With Paulinho and Ettiene Capoue's futures at White Hart Lane uncertain, the Spaniard could be a good addition to compete with Ryan Mason and Nabil Bentaleb for a starting spot in Mauricio Pochettino's line-up.

Meanwhile, Camacho himself recently admitted he may leave the club should any side make a good offer for both Malaga and the player himself.

"If I do leave here then I want it to be done well and that Malaga are not angry with me," Camacho said, "But I also think you need to look at the market and its value in case you leave. We all know Malaga's situation, which isn't too bad, but they could be forced to sell for a reasonable price."

"It's always good when teams are looking at you because it means you are doing things right, both individually and collectively. The situation at Malaga is good and that benefits me. I have a contract here but if anyone wants to come in for me, then they will have to negotiate."

In recent seasons, Malaga was forced to sell some of their stars, including Santi Cazorla to Arsenal.