Talks underway: Spurs eye dream Conte signing in £18m prodigy dubbed "the next Mbappe" - opinion

Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly opened talks to sign Hugo Etikite ahead of the summer transfer window…

That’s according to Italian outlet Calciomercato, who claim that Spurs are one of many European sides taking a keen interest in the Stade de Reims striker.

Arsenal, FC Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, AC Milan and AS Roma are all mentioned by the report, though it’s the north Londoners who appear to have made the first move, opening negotiations with the 19-year-old and his representatives.

The 19-year-old prodigy is expected to cost around €20m (£18m).

During the January transfer window, the France U20 international rejected a move to Premier League rivals Newcastle United despite a fee of £33m being agreed, as per Sky Sports.

The prospects of landing him for effectively half the price is surely a stroke of genius from sporting director Fabio Paratici and co and indeed, he’d be a signing that manager Antonio Conte would surely love to seal.

His admiration for Harry Kane is no secret, lauding him as one of the best centre-forwards in the world, and whilst this is true, he is without a backup or partner at Hotspur Way.

In his teenage years, Etikite has already proven his worth at the top level, having provided ten goals and four assists across 23 appearances, via Transfermarkt.

Such form and undoubted potential has seen the Reims talisman earn quite the praise.

90min reporter Graeme Bailey lauded him as an “outstanding talent” and further claimed: “many in France believe he could be the next Mbappe,” whilst his manager Oscar Garcia told beIN SPORTS Ligue 1 show:

“There is something very special about him. He’s young, and he has the quality to become a very good player. He’s started a lot of games now,