Tottenham Hotspur could reportedly do battle with two fellow European giants to secure the services of Crystal Palace defender Tyrick Mitchell in the summer transfer window.
The 25-year-old is in the final six months of his Palace deal according to transfermarkt; journalist Matt Woosnam has reported that his contract in fact runs until 2027, but there has been no official communication of an apparent renewal from the club.
Mitchell has not missed any of the Eagles' 19 Premier League games this season and has also banked three assists in the top flight, but his efforts have only helped Oliver Glasner's side to a 15th-placed ranking in the table.
In spite of claims that the defender is indeed under contract at Selhurst Park until 2027, CaughtOffside report that he has in fact not penned fresh terms, meaning he could agree a pre-contract deal with a foreign team in January.
If Mitchell shows no willingness to sign a renewal, the Eagles might be resigned to selling him for a cut-price fee during the January transfer window; keeping hold of him due to his importance to the team would precede losing him for nothing in that scenario.
Arsenal, Barcelona, Tottenham Hotspur interested in Mitchell?
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According to Sport - via The Mirror - Tottenham are one of three clubs keeping a close eye on Mitchell, a list that also includes North London rivals Arsenal and Barcelona.
La Blaugrana would be at an immediate advantage in the race for Mitchell given that they can try to sign him to a pre-contract from January, whereas Arsenal and Spurs would have to wait until his Palace deal runs out.
It remains to be seen whether the 25-year-old would want to stay in more familiar surroundings or try his hand at La Liga football, though, as Arsenal and Tottenham could both offer him the opportunity to stay in London.
Mitchell joined the Palace academy from Brentford in 2016 and has now made 167 appearances for the senior Eagles team in all tournaments, registering three goals and 11 assists.
The 25-year-old also won two caps for England in a pair of international friendlies in March 2022, but he has not been called up to a Three Lions squad since.
Which club needs Mitchell the most?
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The timing of Mitchell's prospective signing could not be more perfect as far as Spurs fans are concerned, as the Lilywhites faithful witnessed Destiny Udogie go off injured in Sunday's 2-2 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Ange Postecoglou complained after the game that a problem was inevitable due to having no options for rotation - not strictly true with Sergio Reguilon available - but Mitchell would give Tottenham another top-quality option on that side.
In contrast, Arsenal have all of Oleksandr Zinchenko, Riccardo Calafiori and the up-and-coming Myles Lewis-Skelly battling for left-back minutes, so the Gunners should only make an approach if the out-of-favour former was to depart.
Barcelona could potentially use another deputy to Alex Balde, though, as current second-choice left-back Gerard Martin is out of contract in the summer, although it has been reported that he is on the verge of renewing until 2028.
Ben Knapton
