Tottenham Hotspur will make signing a defender a top priority this summer.

Jan Vertonghen looks set to end his lengthy stay in North London with speculation suggesting that he's in talks with Roma over a summer move.

While the defender has agreed to extend his stay to the end of the season, his future beyond that is very much in doubt.

That means that for Spurs, they are likely to be looking for a suitable replacement.

That man could be Gabriel Magalhaes.

Reports in The Sun have suggested that the defender is a top priority for Tottenham Hotspur.

The Lille defender is in-demand this summer with both Arsenal and Everton also being interested in a move.

The 22-year-old has enjoyed a successful campaign with the Ligue 1 side, leading to interest from around Europe.

The report claims that Napoli have already agreed a £20million move for the defender, which would see him join the club on a five-year deal.

However it's thought that Spurs have made a last-minute approach, with Spanish publication Fichajes suggesting that a bid had been made.

Magalhaes discussed his future with L'Equipe, saying: "It is gratifying because there are a lot of teams talking about me.

"Gennaro Gattuso [Napoli’s manager] likes me a lot? I don’t know, we haven’t talked.

"On the internet, on social networks, there are a lot of things coming out. I do not know what is true. I see every day, ‘Ah Gabriel goes there, then there’.

"But in fact, we don’t know yet where I’m going to go. Wherever I go it will be to play, to be at the top, at the highest level, and above all in a team that will allow me to go to the Selecao [Brazilian national team]."

GIVEMESPORT'S Phil Spencer says...

The writing certainly appears to be on the wall regarding Jan Vertonghen's future.

The defender has undoubtedly been a superb servant for Tottenham Hotspur after spending eight years with the club.

But with his contract coming to an end it seems like the time to move on.

Realistically, this will be the Belgian international's last opportunity to earn a big contract in his playing career, and that will surely be factored into his decision.

After eight years it's also understandable to want a new challenge, and that's something he'd certainly get with Roma.

A deal is far from complete, but it certainly seems like a move that could be finalised sooner rather than later.