Tottenham have been one of the most inconsistent sides since football returned.

Coincidentally, that's been the story of Jose Mourinho's tenure in north London.

Most recently the Lilywhites have lost to Sheffield United and then on Thursday evening, drew in rather demoralising fashion to relegation-threatened Bournemouth.

If it wasn't for VAR, the Cherries would have won. One positive, though, was a rare clean sheet for Spurs.

Since Mourinho entered the club they've conceded a whopping 45 goals - things just haven't got better since Mauricio Pochettino left.

In fact, they've got worse. At the moment Spurs are in real trouble of not qualifying for Europe. Given they reached the Champions League final last season that would be disastrous news for a progressive club.

Bearing in mind their defensive record, you'd think Tottenham would be looking for defenders.

Mourinho

However, their latest target isn't someone who could bolster their backline - it's an attacker.

According to journalist Julien Maynard, Spurs are looking to sign Lille's Jonathan Ikone.

He claims the Londoners have enquired about his availability but so too have Newcastle United. 

Ikone could leave France in the summer in the event of a 'significant offer'.

Transfermarkt currently value the 22-year-old at a considerable £32.4m with three years left on his contract.

Ikone

GIVEMESPORT'S Matt Dawson says...

Ikone is a player who can not only play on either flank but he can also perform up front as a striker or in behind as a number 10.

It's the final position where he's been utilised the most this term, playing 13 times for Lille. 

In total this campaign, the France international has scored four goals and produced seven assists. It might not be a huge tally but there are clear signs of a promising player.

The very fact he's been capped four times by his country in an age where competition for places in the France squad is beyond healthy tells you plenty.

However, it's the player he's striving to be like that should particularly catch Daniel Levy's eyes.

Ikone

Speaking in 2017 he compared himself to Franck Ribery, hoping to emulate the great winger's career achievements someday. He said

"He’s always an example. Just look at his career to understand why he’s someone to emulate.

“He’s got great rhythm. He can beat his marker so easily. He’s not a player who scores very often, but he always makes plenty of assists. That’s what I want to do.

“On the field, I try to do what he would do sometimes, but I’ve not got the same skills as him yet! Maybe it will come." 

If he gets anywhere near to a man who has scored 149 times in his career, Spurs will have a great player on their hands.