Tottenham transfer rumours: Spurs planning early January bid to beat Arsenal to Michy Batshuayi signing

Tottenham Hotspur are planning an early January bid to sign Marseille striker Michy Batshuayi in order to beat off competition from arch rivals Arsenal, who are also monitoring the forward. Mauricio Pochettino has made no secret of his intentions to sign a backup striker for Harry Kane in the upcoming transfer window.

According to the Daily Mail, the White Hart Lane outfit sent scouts to watch the Belgian international play against Rennes in Ligue 1 last week, with the report claiming that they will test Marsielle with a bid early in the window. The Argentine manager has a number of options in attack in Clinton N'Jie and Heung-Min Son, but wants a specialised No 9 to provide backup for his top marksman.

"We never speak in public about another club's player. We need to show respect. Of course we are interested in different players — that is our job. I'm very happy with my squad but always in every position you can improve. We have offensive players who can play like Harry. There is Son (Heung-min) or (Nacer) Chadli or Clinton (N'Jie) — they can play like a striker," Pochettino said, as quoted by the Daily Mail.

"But maybe it's true (that Spurs will sign a striker in January). I recognise they are not specifically strikers so maybe we will work to try to find such a player who we can add in the next transfer window or in the summer to try to help the team. It is important we find someone who is very specific," the Argentine manager added.

Spurs, however, will face competition for the striker's signature from north London rivals Arsenal, who are also monitoring the striker's progress. The Gunners are said to have sent top scout Gilles Grimandi to run the rule on the striker in the same game, which Marseille won 1-0. The 22-year-old forward is having a fine campaign and has already notched up 10 goals and five assists in 17 Ligue 1 appearances thus far this campaign. The Premier League duo will have to meet the French club's valuation of around £15m ($22.7m) to make them part with their prized possession.