Tottenham eying summer bid for Hoffenheim DM Florian Grillitsch

It’s mid-December, which is usually when the January transfer window rumors start to increase like discarded pine trees on a suburban curbside the day after Christmas. But this one might be worth looking into, maybe. According to Bild, Tottenham Hotspur are one of two Premier League clubs who have sent scouts to look at Hoffenheim defensive midfielder Florian Grillitsch. Apparently his agent was in London to talk to both representatives of Spurs and Arsenal.

Grillitsch, 23, has been a bit of a revelation for Hoffenheim this season, who are seventh in the Bundesliga, but only three points behind Bayern Munich in third. Grillitsch is a good all-around midfielder — good passing numbers, excellent in the build-up to Hoffenheim’s attack. He passes well and averages over two tackles a match this season. No goals or assists in ~900 Bundesliga minutes, but he did score in Hoffenheim’s first Champions League match, a 2-2 draw with Shakhtar.

Grillitsch’s role is is usually to sit as the deepest midfielder for Hoffenheim and break up play, something Spurs could really use at this moment in time. He’s young and under the radar enough that he probably won’t command a huge fee (Transfermarkt, which is unreliable when it comes to values, says €20m) but could be poised to break out soon.

Unfortunately, Hoffenheim is pushing for top four in the Bundesliga, which probably means that they are much less likely to sell him in January. He’s under contract until 2021, but Bild says he may have an “opt-out clause” in his contract that could pave the way for a move to England if he’s serious about making a move this summer. I don’t have a handle yet on if there’s any serious interest in him. Still, he looks like a halfway decent option. Consider me intrigued.