Tottenham boss Antonio Conte plots 'ruthless overhaul' with at least six stars facing axe

Tottenham manager Antonio Conte has designs on ripping up his first-team squad with at least six players at risk of being moved on this month and in the summer transfer window, according to reports.

The Italian was offered a reminder of the work needed at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as Spurs crashed to a sorry 2-0 Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg loss to Chelsea in midweek.

Conte said post-match: “We need to have patience because there is a lot, a lot of a job to do, in many aspects.

“Because in the last few years the level of Tottenham has dropped, and dropped a lot. And now we have to rebuild, and we need to have patience and more time.”

And the Tottenham manager is beginning his overhaul as he shows interest in bringing Adama Traore to the club from Wolves this month.

Spurs see the Spaniard as a player who can offer a more attacking alternative to Emmerson Royal as the right-sided wing-back under Conte.

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ESPN report that elsewhere, Conte wants to oversee a ruthless overhaul of the playing staff with over half a dozen players potentially being moved on.

The report adds that in private meetings the manager has held with his superiors, he has made it clear Spurs are nowhere near ready to challenge for Premier League titles.

Conte wants a major overhaul and ESPN suggest that he is willing to sell off Dele Alli, Steven Bergwijn, Matt Doherty and Tanguy Ndombele.

Japhet Tanganga and Giovani Lo Celso’s futures are also mentioned as uncertain and some of those players could be moved on this month if the right deals are found.

The club’s hierarchy are ready to support Conte and are prepared to agree several incomings and outgoings before January 31st.

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They are also aware it is tougher to do multiple deals in the winter window, however, and some signings may have to wait until the summer.

Spurs are focusing on a back-up striker and a wing-back this month but Conte would also like to strengthen at centre-back and in central midfield.

“But I repeat, I don’t see in the transfer window the resolution of our problems. The resolution of our problems now is to work and improve all many aspects of our squad.

“I repeat there is a lot of job to do. If you think if you buy one or two players and you solve the situation, you are not right.”

Wolves boss Bruno Lage has meanwhile hinted he’s open to doing a deal for Traore before the end of the month, with the £20million-rated wide-man out of contract at Molineux in 18 months’ time.

He said: “In modern football if a big transfer appears, like it did when I was at Benfica. Two years ago a team came and paid €120million for one player – you cannot say no.

“You can say no, but you don’t receive money to improve the team and you continue with the same players. In the transfer window you need to decide what is best for the club and for the player.”

source: express.co.uk