Tottenham Hotspur are eying up a deal for Sevilla centre-half Federico Fazio as the alternative to Mateo Musacchio, according to the Daily Telegraph.

Any deal for Villarreal defender Musacchio appears to have stalled and it is unlikely he will be moving to White Hart Lane, at least in this transfer window.

Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino, who has been keen to add to his squad, has identified the 27-year-old Argentine as a possible target as the transfer window nears its conclusion.

Fazio played a key role in Sevilla’s UEFA Europa League triumph last season, and has tempted Pochettino as he looks for defensive reinforcements.

Sources in Spain have suggested the defender has a buy-out clause of around £8m in his contract which would be significantly cheaper than the £17m rated Musacchio, who Tottenham have failed to bring to north London.

The two-time Argentina cap arrived at the La Liga side back in 2007 and has since gone on to appear for them 179 times, finding the net on 14 occasions.

Their interest in Fazio could spell the end for at least one of Spurs’ contracted defenders.

Michael Dawson, who has attracted interest from Hull City, Younes Kaboul and Vlad Chiriches have all been linked with moves away from Tottenham this summer, whereas Jan Vertonghen and new signing Eric Dier appear to be favoured under Pochettino.