Tottenham’s aggressive summer recruitment drive is proof of Antonio Conte’s influence over Daniel Levy, according to Jamie O’Hara.
On Friday, Yves Bissouma became the third player to sign for Spurs, penning a four-year-deal following the signings of Ivan Perisic and Fraser Forster.
Conte, who was given assurances that he would be backed by both Levy and Fabio Paratici before agreeing to stay at the club, has consistently spoken about his desire to compete with the Premier League’s leading teams.
The Italian’s appointment was seen as a major coup for Levy after a difficult spell during Mauricio Pochettino’s final season-and-a-half, a period in which the Spurs chairman has been frequently crticised.
Not afraid to vent his frustration at those who work above him at his previous clubs, Conte is overseeing a busy summer with up to three more signings targeted following the arrival of Bissouma.
“It’s down to Conte’s influence. Conte means business, there’s no messing about,” O’Hara said to Grosvenor Sport.
“And Daniel Levy knows he can’t mess him about or he will walk. You’ve got a manager now that’s world class and has got Spurs in the Champions League when they were nowhere near it in terms of how they were playing.
“So Daniel Levy has thought, ‘I have to back this guy, I have to give him what he wants’. Normally they would wait until late into the transfer market, try and nick a deal, try and get someone on the cheap. Not this time, not with Conte. Three players in already and the squad haven’t even gone back for pre-season!”
