Tottenham Face Fight to Keep Midfield Duo Amid Interest From Italian Giants – Report

Andre Villas-Boas will hope that Tottenham's form improves in the coming weeks as he attempts to persuade midfielders Sandro and Mousa Dembele to reject the advances of two of Italy's top sides.

The Mirror reports how Sandro has become Roma's primary transfer target as manager Rudi Garcia seeks to further improve a team that has started the season in superb fashion and currently sits atop of the Serie A table.

Roma have made an incredible start to the new campaign, winning ten and drawing just two of their opening 12 games. However, it seems Garcia feels the side can still be improved and is keen to convince Sandro to leave White Hart Lane in January.

The Brazil international is still returning to full fitness after a serious injury last season and now has plenty of competition for a place in midfield after the arrival of compatriot Paulinho and Etienne Capoue.

Roma may have conceded just three goals all season but it appears the club feel there is still the need for another tough tackling midfielder and Sandro seems to fit the bill.

The 24-year-old is not the only Spurs midfielder being targeted by a Italian side, with reports in the Metro claiming that Dembele is wanted by Rafa Benitez at Napoli.

Dembele has failed to hold down a regular place in the Tottenham team this season and hinted that he was no longer a part of Villas-Boas' plans.

"The coach has explained that he makes a tactical choice, he wants more defensive players in midfield," said Dembele. "I can't be satisfied with it, of course, I just want to play as many games"

The 26-year-old will certainly feel he needs to play regularly in order to secure a place in the Belgium squad for next year's World Cup in Brazil and should this opportunity not come at Tottenham then he may decide to look elsewhere.

Napoli would certainly present an chance to compete for major honours as Benitez's side currently sit third in the league and have a good chance of reaching the knockout stages of the Champions League as they sit joint top of their group with Arsenal.