Tottenham close to signing Cologne defender Kevin Wimmer

Tottenham are reportedly interested in signing Cologne defender Kevin Wimmer and are keeping a close watch on his progress with the Bundesliga club.

According to the Daily Mail, Mauricio Pochettino is a big admirer of the defender and has had him watched on a number of occasions this season and is said to have received glowing reports from his scouts. The Argentine manager is keen to strengthen his defence during the summer and will allow current defenders Younes Kaboul and Vlad Chiriches to leave the club to make room for the young Austrian.

Wimmer has been a key player for the club this season despite Cologne languishing at the bottom half of the Bundelsliga table, just two points above the drop zone. He is one the club's prized assets and they will be reluctant to let him leave.

But the German club's sporting director Jorg Schmadtke is believed to be willing to sell, only if interested clubs meet their valuation of the defender.

The report claims that, Tottenham have now had a bid accepted by the German club for Wimmer and that personal terms between the player have also been agreed. However, nothing is confirmed as Spurs are said to be keeping their options open and are still looking at other players.

The 22-year-old defender, who has represented Austria at U21 level is contracted to Cologne until the summer of 2019, but Tottenham are confident they can convince the Germans to sell during the summer transfer window.

Meanwhile, Tottenham midfielder Nabil Bentaleb has vowed to respond strongly against Leicester City on Saturday to make up for their disappointing performance against Manchester United last weekend.

Spurs lost 3-0 to Louis van Gaal's team and the midfielder admits that the team failed to turn up, as the Red Devils wrapped up the win in the first-half as they scored all the three goals 35 minutes into the game.

"We've played well recently and it's a shame - and we have to tell the truth - we just didn't turn up and the game was over before we started," Bentaleb told Tottenham's official site.

"I feel really bad about the game, especially for the fans and I can tell them that we will come back stronger and show a different face when we play Leicester at home," the Algerian international added.