Spurs in a defensive crisis due to Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romeo injuries
Sven Botman has been out all season for Newcastle causing Howe serious issues
SOCCER A-Z: Listen now wherever you get your podcasts, or watch on YouTube. New episodes every Wednesday
Tottenham and Newcastle are reportedly set to do battle for a £25million-rated Ligue 1 centre-back as the Premier League sides look to solve their defensive problems in January.
Spurs' injury list is lengthy and the north London outfit have been particularly heavily hit at the back, with Micky van de Ven remaining on the sidelines for another few weeks with a thigh injury and Cristian Romero yet to make a return from an ankle complaint picked up three weeks ago.
Indeed, this meant that Ange Postecoglou had to shift left-back Ben Davies into the heart of defence for the memorable 4-0 win at Manchester City last month and Sunday's 1-1 draw against Fulham.
Newcastle, meanwhile, have been left reeling by a Sven Botman knee injury which has meant he has not played all season and will remain on the sidelines until the new year at least.
The two sides' respective defensive crises mean they are likely to assess their options in the upcoming January transfer window, with both showing an early interest in Lens centre-back Abdukodir Khusanov, the Telegraph reports.
The 20-year-old has been one of the surprise stars of the French league this campaign, starting nine of his club's 13 matches in a solid start to the season which sees them lie in seventh.
He made the switch to the north of France from Belarusian outfit Energetik-BGU Minsk a year and a half ago for just £83,000 but already has scouts from across Europe packing the stands to watch him play.
Indeed, Spurs and Newcastle face competition from five other Premier League sides for Khusanov's signature while Paris Saint-Germain are also interested.
Tottenham are keen to bolster their defensive options while the Magpies rate the Uzbekistan international as one of the finest young talents.
And with good reason too. Khusanov has put in a string of assured displays this season for a rock-solid Lens side which has only shipped 12 goals in 13 matches. Only leaders PSG, with 11, have conceded fewer than them.
Lens are currently managed by Belgian-born Briton Will Still, who was hired in the summer as the replacement for long-time boss Franck Haise, who left the club to manage Nice at the end of the season.
At 32, Still is one of the youngest managers in Europe and departed Reims in May by mutual consent with the side languishing in 11th.
Despite Khusanov's youth, the boss has showed great faith in his talent and has picked him whenever available, including in the weekend's victory over Reims as he was coming back from suspension.
The Uzbekistani can also fill in at defensive midfield if required but has solely played at the back this campaign.
After the draw against Fulham, Postecoglou took a pop at his side's Premier League rivals as he praised his squad players for the way they have stepped in for injured stars.
'I've seen so much violin-playing over [other teams having] one centre-back out, but we're just supposed to get on with it,' Postecoglou told reporters.
He added: 'Benny [Davies] and Radu [Drăgușin] have been outstanding throughout this spell. I mean there aren't too many teams in the league who have both their centre-backs out. The beauty of it is these boys are, and I love that.
'I love the characters they're showing. I love the fact that they're not seeking excuses or wanting me to make allowances for it.
'But at some point, I need to also acknowledge the massive effort that all these guys are putting in. Radu and Ben were outstanding again today.'