Tottenham Hotspur 'send scouts to watch Metz striker Georges Mikautadze'

Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly sent scouts to keep an eye on Metz and Georgia attacker Georges Mikautadze.

The 22-year-old spent seven years in the Lyon academy between 2008 and 2015 but left without making a single first-team appearance for Les Gones.

Two years after his departure from the Groupama Stadium, Mikautadze signed up to the Metz academy and has progressed through the ranks to make 45 appearances for Les Grenats in all tournaments.

In that time, Mikautadze has registered an eye-catching 26 goals and 10 assists, winning the Ligue 2 Golden Boot last season with 23 strikes to his name - in addition to eight assists - as Metz returned to the top flight at the first time of asking.

The striker has also made a positive start to life in the big time, netting two goals and setting up one more in Metz's opening three fixtures, including the winner in Sunday's 1-0 victory over Clermont.

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A 16-cap Georgia international, Mikautadze also boasts four goals for his nation, and his contract at the Stade Saint-Symphorien runs for another three years.

Metz may struggle to retain the striker's services for much longer, though, as Football Insider claims that Tottenham are among the elite European clubs keeping a close eye on his displays.

Spurs supposedly deployed scouts to watch Mikautadze's match-winning performance in Sunday's clash with Clermont, while West Ham United and Leicester City also hold an interest.

Burnley are believed to have failed with an approach for the Georgia international earlier in the window, but the strongest interest supposedly comes outside of England in the shape of Ajax.

The Dutch giants - who recently sold Mohammed Kudus to West Ham - are already said to be in talks with Metz over a deal for Mikautadze, but Les Grenats will hold out for a sizeable fee given his importance to the team.

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Tottenham are yet to bring in an out-and-out replacement for Harry Kane following the England captain's move to Bayern Munich, with Richarlison leading the line in each of Spurs' opening three Premier League fixtures.

However, the Brazilian - who only managed one top-flight goal last term - is yet to get off the mark for the new season, and Spurs are aiming to strengthen their offensive line before Friday's transfer deadline.

The Lilywhites are said to be planning an official bid for Nottingham Forest striker Brennan Johnson, who is valued at £50m by the Tricky Trees, while a move for Gent striker Gift Orban has been mooted also.

Ange Postecoglou's side eased to a 2-0 win over Bournemouth on Saturday lunchtime and are back in action against London rivals Fulham in the second round of the EFL Cup on Tuesday night.