Tottenham Hotspur have work to do in the summer window, and Ange Postecoglou has now found out how much it would take to bring one of his key targets to N17 amid recent reports.
Tottenham set their sights on squad rebuild this summer
Even the most optimistic Tottenham fan would admit this season hasn't gone to plan, even if they can still snatch a backdoor route to Champions League football by claiming the Europa League title in May.
Nevertheless, with Ange Postecoglou yet to convince the masses, a strong window is likely the perfect tonic for Spurs to return to being a recognisable force in 2025/26.
In what would be a blockbuster statement of intent, Tottenham are ready to go all in for Sporting's Viktor Gyokeres this summer following his 40-goal return for the reigning Portuguese champions.
Looking to fill the void left by Harry Kane, if the Sweden international shows willingness to seek a new challenge, that could speed up the process of a deal being concluded.
Contrariwise, Tottenham may need to source defensive reinforcements if Cristian Romero joins Real Madrid. The Argentina international is reportedly keen on a move to the Santiago Bernabeu and has just over two years left on his contract in north London.
Defensive frailties have haunted Postecoglou this season, and injuries have forced the likes of Archie Gray and Djed Spence into unfamiliar roles, so losing someone with a World Cup-winning pedigree is undoubtedly something they won't want be on the agenda in the upcoming window.
Either way, fresh blood is needed to supplement a squad hampered by inconsistency under the Australian. Spurs have now found out the cost of a key defensive target, per recent developments.
Tottenham find out Rayan Ait-Nouri's price tag
Previously, reports emerged stating Tottenham had bid £29m for Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Rayan Ait-Nouri, of whom they are said to be the most likely candidates to sign despite alternative interest from Liverpool and West Ham United.
Football Insider's Pete O'Rourke now claims it may take Spurs a 'huge' £40m to bring in Ait-Nouri this summer. The Molineux club face a fight to retain his services following a poor campaign in the West Midlands amid further admiration from Manchester United and Arsenal.
Concerns over Destiny Udogie's consistency have led to Djed Spence appearing on the left flank frequently, though the Englishman's lopsided nature, being naturally right-sided, has led Postecoglou and Daniel Levy to consider their options on the market.
Becoming a shining light in a tough campaign for Wolves, Algeria international Ait-Nouri has registered four goals and five assists in 32 appearances across all competitions.
Furthermore, the 23-year-old has ranked as the Old Gold's second-most consistent Premier League performer behind Matheus Cunha, per WhoScored, chalking up an average match rating of 6.84/10.
Changes are coming at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and Ait-Nouri may be the ideal candidate to perfect the balance between defence and attack on the left-hand side.