Tottenham Hotspur are one of several Premier League clubs plotting a move for a highly-rated South American defender in January.Spurs decided to prioritise signing Premier League-proven performers in the summer, and that strategy is yet to bear fruit, with many of the club’s new additions not hitting the ground running.IncomingsAndrew RobertsonFreeMarcos SenesiFreeMartin DubravkaFreeJan Paul van Hecke£52mMateus Fernandes£85mSandro Tonali£100mSavinho£85mOmar Marmoush£60mTosin Adarabioyo£12mMykhailo MudrykLoanTotal spent£394mOutgoingsLuka Vuskovic£50mWill Lankshear£20mRadu Dragusin£21mAlejo Veliz£7.7mAlfie Devine£6mTynan Thompson£8mManor Solomon£7mCristian Romero£34.1mAshley Phillips£20mDjed Spence£30mKevin Danso£25mPape Matar Sarr£25.6mTotal received£254.8mTottenham’s net spend£139.2mHaving completed a substantial rebuild of their squad in the summer, it appears that De Zerbi’s men may be looking to sprinkle some young talent into their squad.It was reported that Spurs failed with a late move for a young Brazilian centre-back in the summer, and the club may now be set to sink a defining blow for the player in January.Photo by Heuler Andrey/Getty ImagesTottenham leading the race to sign Athletico Paranaense starlet Arthur DiasTEAMtalk have now become the latest outlet to claim that Spurs are very much involved in the race to sign Arthur Dias, who has emerged as one of the most talented young defenders in Brazilian football.The 20-year-old’s displays in the Brazilian top flight have caught the attention of the North London club, who are ‘among the most proactive suitors’ of the youngster.The report confirms that Tottenham held conversations with Dias in the summer, but Athletico pushed back on their interest.Spurs are expected to return for the player in the New Year, but they will face competition, with the centre-back also on the radar of Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest and Brentford.However, the website adds that as things stand, Roberto De Zerbi’s side appear ‘best placed’ to win the race for the youngster.Athletico Paranaense’s stance on Dias explainedTEAMtalk say that RB Leipzig, Bayer Leverkusen, Atalanta, Como, Atlético Madrid and Benfica are also keeping tabs on the 20-year-old ahead of the January window.Athletico Paranaense do not wish to sell the youngster and are in a strong negotiating position as Dias is contracted until 2028.However, the Brazilian club are realistic about his long-term future, and could consider a substantial offer, currently valuing their academy graduate at €30m (£25.7m).READ MORE: Jamie O’Hara wants Tottenham to get rid of one De Zerbi summer signing alreadyThe post Tottenham are ‘best-placed’ to beat Newcastle to exciting £26m defender appeared first on Spurs Web.