French Rivals Competing In Surprise Swoop For Tottenham Defender – Report

Monaco and Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly competing for the signature of Tottenham Hotspur defender Kyle Walker in a surprise move as they hope to convince him with a lucrative contract.

Walker has been touted for big things with Tottenham after making the move to the side in 2009 – he had three loan spells away from White Hart Lane over three years but recently has become an integral member of the squad.

Having featured 26 times for the side this season, including featuring heavily after Andre Villas-Boas was replaced by now-former assistant Tim Sherwood, it would appear that the 22 year old is in Spurs' long-term plans but La Perisien and the Mirror are reporting that both Monaco and PSG hope to tempt him into pushing for a move elsewhere.

With defender Christophe Jallet currently injured Laurent Blanc is reportedly keen to bring in more depth for his backline this month and sees Walker as the perfect addition.

Monaco have been chasing the player for longer but are yet to make their interest concrete and Blanc is believed to be hopeful of taking full advantage of this delay in his title rival's pursuits.

Walker will likely have to decide how a mid-season move will affect his World Cup chances with the England international hopeful of a ticket on the plane to Brazil come the summer.

Hodgson has been cagey when questioned whether Jermain Defoe's possible exit from Tottenham will affect his chances of selection in the squad, as the striker reportedly closes in on a move to FC Toronto in the MLS.