Tottenham transfer target: Spurs preparing £3m bid for Aston Villa midfielder Fabian Delph

Tottenham are reportedly ready to test Aston Villa's resolve by making a bid for midfielder Fabian Delph during the January transfer window.

According to the Mirror, the England midfielder, who is out of contract at the end of the summer is a target for Mauricio Pochettino and the Argentine manager is keen to bring him to White Hart Lane in January.

Apart from Spurs, Premier League rivals Liverpool have also been linked with a move for the midfielder as they intensify their search for a replacement for departing skipper Steven Gerrard.

Villa are reluctant to sell one of their key players midway through the season, but are aware that Delph can start talking to clubs abroad and will not be keen to lose him on a free transfer in the summer.

This has alerted the Tottenham boss and he is ready to make a cut price offer of £3m to take the Three Lions player to north London this month. He is hoping to beat Brendan Rodgers to the signing of the midfielder.

Pochettino is readying a massive clear out of his squad as various players are being touted to leave the club in the ongoing transfer window. The manager could use one of his many unwanted squad members to tempt Villa into letting go of their star man in a player-plus-cash deal.

Spurs are ready to let go of Aaron Lennon, Paulinho, Andros Townsend, Emmanuel Adebayor and Mousa Dembele among others as the former Southampton boss begins an overhaul to bring in the players who will be more suited to his high pressing style.

Meanwhile, Leicester City are said to be interested in signing Tottenham full-back Kyle Naughton, who has lost his place in the team following Kyle Walker's return to fitness and Ben Davies' improved performances.