Tottenham boss Antonio Conte ‘has three-man defensive wishlist’ including Newcastle target

Transfer deadline day: Premier League round-up

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

Tottenham manager Antonio Conte has added Newcastle target Sven Botman to a three-man list of potential defensive signings in advance of the summer transfer window, according to reports. The north Londoners managed to land two new players in January to boost their ranks ahead of the Premier League run-in but missed out on a number of key signings in the process.

They snapped up Juventus duo Rodrigo Bentancur and Dejan Kulusevski on the final day of the window to steer clear of a fruitless mid-season recruitment drive at the last moment.

It was far from plain sailing for Tottenham over the course of the window, though, with director of football Fabio Paratici unable to snap up the likes of Adama Traore and Luis Diaz in spite of the club’s best efforts.

The former was heavily pursued by Spurs but ultimately opted to join Barcelona on loan, while the latter was poached by Liverpool after the Reds jumped the queue to secure his signature.

Although Tottenham did not chase the additions of any central defenders in the mid-season market, it seems as though Conte will be looking to strengthen his options in the position when the window reopens ahead of next season.

He has already drawn up a list of three priority targets, with Botman named among those on the Italian manager’s radar as he aims to bolster the club’s back line, according to The Telegraph.

JUST IN: Tottenham’s Luis Diaz chase ‘had comical error’ before Liverpool move

The report claims that Botman is expected to be made available by Lille in the summer after he was denied a move to Newcastle ahead of last month’s transfer deadline.

The 22-year-old was heavily pursued by the big-spending Magpies, who eventually sealed a deadline-day move for Dan Burn after seeing their advances turned down by Botman’s current employers.

However, the Tyneside outfit are still believed to be keen on bringing the Dutchman to St James’ Park in time for next season.

It remains to be seen whether Spurs will be able to nip ahead of Newcastle in the race for his signature when clubs are allowed to do business once again in the summer months.

The report also claims that Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni and RB Leipzig’s Josko Gvardiol are also on Tottenham’s hit list.

Conte has a strong relationship with the former, who made 33 league appearances for Inter as they stormed to the Serie A title last season.

Meanwhile, Gvardiol appears to have a bright future in the game after turning plenty of heads with his age-defying performances at the back for Leipzig.

The 20-year-old has featured heavily since arriving at the club from Dinamo Zagreb over the summer, playing in all but one of his side’s Bundesliga matches this season.

FOLLOW OUR NEW DAILY EXPRESS SPORT INSTAGRAM PAGE

It seems unlikely that Tottenham will move for all three players when the summer transfer window rolls around, but they will surely be looking to make at least one addition to their back four in order to boost their hopes of returning to the Premier League’s top four next season.

Conte recently suggested that Spurs will need to bide their time as they aim to make progress by insisting that they are still years away from being able to trouble the division’s best sides on a consistent basis.

“If we think we solve with the transfer market the situation, it is not the reality,” explained Conte after his side’s defeat at the hands of Chelsea last month.

“You need many years, but for sure we have to start. You have to sell or loan players and it is difficult and then you have to find the right players for you.

“You can only start this process but you need many years. It won’t be easy, I spoke with the club and am totally in this position of the club to work and improve the situation on the pitch.”

Want the latest Premier League news as we publish it on Express Sport? Join our brand new Facebook group by clicking here

Source: Read Full Article