Antonio Conte could seek to take advantage of Tottenham's healthy relationship with Valencia by hijacking Manchester United's move for Giorgi Mamardashvili, according to a new report.
Spurs are in the market for new recruits this summer after Conte guided the club to a top-four finish to secure Champions League football next season. The Italian has already wrapped up the signing of Ivan Perisic and is expected to scour the market for more new signings in the coming weeks.
The Londoners - like United - are in the market for a new back-up goalkeeper this summer - and it appears that they could hold the edge over their Premier League rivals in the race for Valencia's shot-stopper, Mamardashvili.
According to Marca, Tottenham have joined the race for the Georgian goalkeeper, who had already been identified by Erik ten Hag as the perfect understudy to David de Gea. Valencia desperately need to raise funds this summer, so would be open to facilitating a deal for Mamardashvili - but Tottenham are hoping their decision to send Bryan Gil to the Mestalla on loan for the second half of the season will give them the edge over their Premier League rivals.
Mamardashvili only joined Valencia on loan 12 months ago, but the 21-year-old made enough of an impression to convince the Spanish outfit to acquire the shot-stopper on a permanent basis by triggering his buyout clause. But the Spanish outfit - who need to raise €70million (£59.5m) this summer to balance the books - could be about to turn a quick profit on the goalkeeper.
The emergence of Tottenham and Conte could pose a major problem for Ten Hag in his bid to bring Mamardashvili to Old Trafford. The Londoners have the lure of Champions League football and could nudge ahead of United in the race for the ex-Dinamo Tbilisi ace if they decide to firm up their interest.
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While Tottenham are 'already thinking' of finding a long-term placement for Hugo Lloris, who will turn 36 later this year, United are braced for the departure of Dean Henderson; who is desperate to quit Old Trafford to pursue regular first-team football elsewhere. The United academy graduate has been linked with a loan move to various Premier League sides including Newcastle.
The 25-year-old failed to dislodge De Gea last season and is eager to finally seal a move in the coming weeks after a January exit was canned by the Old Trafford hierarchy.
United have also been linked with another former academy graduate, Sam Johnstone in recent weeks after the England shot-stopper ran down his deal with West Brom. But the 29-year-old is poised to seal his return to the top-flight by joining Crystal Palace, rather than returning to his old club.
