Bayern Munich midfielder Joao Palhinha has told Tottenham Hotspur that he wants to join them and is open to a permanent move, according to journalist Ben Jacobs.
Arsenal were linked with the Portuguese earlier this summer, but Tottenham are now in the running to sign him on loan.
The former Fulham star is keen to secure a return to the Premier League.
Spurs manager Thomas Frank wants a new number six and is not convinced that Rodrigo Bentancur and Yves Bissouma are perfect for the role.
They are also in the final year of their contracts and will not be getting new deals from the look of things, so Tottenham are preparing for their potential departures next summer.
Palhinha is not a long-term solution as he is 30, but he fits the bill perfectly and is capable of providing three or four more seasons of quality services in the middle of the park.
The Portugal international spent two seasons at the Craven Cottage club, featuring in 68 Premier League games and weighing in with seven goals.
Signing the Bayern star could allow James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski and Lucas Bergvall to push further forward on the pitch.
He is the type of defensive midfielder Frank loves, having used Christian Norgaard to achieve great results while at Brentford.
The Denmark international was his captain, but he has since joined the Gunners. Palhinha could perform a similar role and getting a deal over the line would be huge for Spurs.
They have signed Kota Takai, Luka Vuskovic, Mohammed Kudus and Kevin Danso this summer, while Mathys Tel has joined permanently after his impressive loan spell.
More arrivals could be on the way after England international midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White opted to sign a new deal at Nottingham Forest despite almost joining Tottenham.
Signing another creative midfielder and a new number six will boost their chances of challenging strongly across all competitions next term.
