Tottenham are yet to make their first signing of the January transfer window but things certainly appear to be heating up behind the scenes. With a matter of days left to sew up arrivals and departures, Antonio Conte and sporting director Fabio Paratici are likely to go about their business with a sense of urgency until Monday’s deadline.
It has been a remarkably quiet window for Tottenham considering Conte’s willingness to discuss the shortfalls of his own squad.
Rumours suggest that new faces in north London depend on others making way first but even that has proven difficult thus far.
Spurs may soon be forced to cave in on their demands for the likes of Dele Alli, Tanguy Ndombele, Giovani Lo Celso and Matt Doherty if their departures are crucial to locking down Conte’s desired recruits.
With numerous deals rumoured to be in the pipeline, Express Sport delves into three stories that could gather pace over the next few days:
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Conte’s Amrabat belief
As has become a familiar hurdle, Spurs’ prospective loan deal for Fiorentina’s midfield enforcer Sofyan Amrabat reportedly rests on departures from north London.
But Fabrizio Romano claims that Conte is ‘convinced’ about the Moroccan and his ability to slot straight into his tactical plans.
While Amrabat’s arrival may not carry the same wow factor as someone like Diaz due to his industrious role, he could turn out to be good business if Conte is able to put together an effective midfield recipe.
Furthermore, a reported £13m option to buy is effectively insignificant money in this day and age, particularly for a 25-year-old who already has 31 caps for his national team.
Traore alternatives
Adama Traore’s seemingly imminent move to Barcelona reportedly comes as a ‘major blow’ to Conte, who had identified the flying winger as one of his prime targets.
But since Spurs refused to match up to Wolves’ £25m valuation, the Catalan side closed in and an initial loan with a hefty option to buy looks set to be signed and sealed.
According to The Athletic, Tottenham have identified ‘alternative targets’ to fall back on as they seek to bolster their wing-back options.
Middlesbrough youngster Djed Spence may be one, but seeing as he would have to complete his season-long loan with Nottingham Forest before linking up with the Lilywhites, a new name may need to be thrown into the mix if they are to recruit in that department before the transfer deadline.