Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur have joined the transfer race for Swiss midfield ace Valon Behrami.

The defensive midfielder, who currently plays for Napoli in Serie A, is a former West Ham United player and has caught the attention of several European clubs with his performances for the club last season as well as during Switzerland’s World Cup matches.

Spurs will face stiff competition for the 29 year old from Inter Milan who have earmarked the Swiss international as the man to add the bite to their midfield that has been lacking and the Italian media reports talks have already begun between the two Italian clubs.

Behrami played 21 matches for Napoli during the 2013/14 season of Serie A. the Swiss ace spent three seasons in an ill fated spell at West Ham United between 2008 and 2011, where he failed to nail down a first team spot before being moved on.

He scored just four goals during his 58 game spell at West Ham United following his £ 5 million move from Lazio.

However, he has reestablished himself as a steely defensive midfielder in Italy and Tottenham Hotspur want to bring the player back to the Premier League with Sandro expected to leave the club this summer, leaving Brazilian international Paulinho as their only defensive midfield option.

If Behrami does join Spurs, he would add to a growing list of former Spurs players to make the move to their arch rivals, including Jermain Defoe, Freddie Kanoute and Michael Carrick at the turn of the century.

Behrami has played both group matches for Switzerland in Brazil making a total of six tackles as well as 81 passes and Tottenham Hotspur are hopeful the lure of a return to the English game will clinch the deal in their favor this summer.