Tottenham have approached Chelsea regarding a possible move for sporting director Paul Winstanley, as they seek a replacement for Fabio Paratici to work with Johan Lange.

Spurs are intensifying their hunt for a new sporting director, following Paratici's exit in January, with preliminary enquiries made regarding prospective candidates. Among them was Winstanley, who has been at Chelsea since arriving from Brighton in 2022.

football.london reports that Tottenham have made early checks on the Chelsea man's availability, though sources close to the Blues maintain that he will not be departing. Winstanley remains under contract at Stamford Bridge until 2031.

Spurs have additionally shown an interest in former Crystal Palace sporting director Dougie Freedman. The 51-year-old departed Selhurst Park nearly a year ago, and currently holds the sporting director role with Saudi second-tier outfit Al-Diriyah FC.

Whichever new sporting director arrives at Tottenham, they are expected to wield considerable influence over the managerial appointment facing the club this summer. Igor Tudor took charge on an interim basis last month, though he has suffered defeat in both his Premier League fixtures to date.