Tottenham are still likely to complete the signing of more players this summer transfer window, with Antonio Conte expected to want at least six new arrivals this summer. Spurs have already completed deals for Ivan Perisic, Fraser Forster and Yves Bissouma, a trio of strong additions to Conte's side.
Improvements could still be made all over the pitch, which is why the Lilywhites are being linked with players who can fulfil various roles. The Italian needs quality in the depth of his squad so that when he has to make rotations, the level doesn't drop.
One position the 52-year-old could do with some more options in is the back three. Although Cristian Romero, Eric Dier and Ben Davies created a solid back line last season, with Davinson Sanchez stepping in when needed, beyond that Conte didn't have many confident options.
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This summer Spurs have already been linked with a number of defenders, including Alessandro Bastoni, who looked like someone that could bring quality to Conte's defence. However, reports then revealed that the Inter Milan man seems set on staying in Italy for now and that dampened much of the Lilywhites' links with the 23-year-old.
However there are plenty of other options of players for Tottenham to target and according to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Spurs have been watching Mohamed Simakan for a while. Much like Pape Matar Sarr, the 22-year-old could be a solid signing for the future, but also someone who could learn a lot from Conte.
Simakan made 27 Bundesliga appearances for Leipzig last season, as well as featuring in the Europa League. The defender signed for the German side last year, after interest from both Liverpool and Inter Milan.
His talent has already been noticed and he previously received big praise from Leipzig's former sporting director, Markus Krosche. "Mohamed Simakan is a robust, dynamic and versatile defender," the 41-year-old explained.
"He can play in central defence or at full-back. At 20, Mohamed is still young and capable of developing."
This versatility is a bonus quality that a number of Tottenham's targets this transfer window seem to have, which will be a boost for Conte, in the case of injuries next season. The 20-year-old has a current market value of up to £25.9million, according to CIES and praise for his former coach and the current Leeds boss, Jesse Marsch, could also be an added boost for Conte.
"He [Marsch] is a coach with a lot of drive, who is there for his players and who helps us a lot to perform. For a player, I think that one important thing is to have a coach who has the ability to listen and he is really there for us," Simakan admitted last year.
"He really offers us a lot of solutions on many aspects that can help us to improve. He is a coach with a good vibe."
Conte has had a major impact at Spurs, in his short time in N17, both on and off the pitch. The Tottenham players have all been full of praise for the Italian and what he has already taught them.
The Leipzig defender has already highlighted the importance of having a supportive manager and the 52-year-old could be exactly the type of coach Simakan needs to help continue his development. The French international has also previously opened up about his determination, battling his two older siblings when he was younger, which has taught him to fight for every ball.
"I could tackle them and they would get annoyed but I really didn't want them to score. I couldn't let that happen, even if sometimes I was the one who ended up on the ground," he said. "The logic was either it's you or it's me. I've kept that mentality."
Strasbourg B team manager, Francois Keller, revealed his first impressions on the defender last year, reiterating the potential he has. "We quickly realised that we were dealing with a phenomenon," Keller admitted.
"He tore the place up… I said to myself that we had the new Varane. He was athletic, powerful, assured and calm."
Simakan may not yet be the complete player but the Frenchman has already shown glimpses of the quality he has, earning him deserved praise. If he made the move to N17, he could bring the experience he does have and continue to develop amongst solid players, in top facilities and learn from a world-class manager.
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