Antonio Conte's Tottenham team could hit the ground running at the start of the Premier League season thanks to the club's summer transfer business. Late movers in the market in recent years, the Lilywhites have made a real statement ahead of the new campaign and teams will not be looking forward to coming up against them.
The perfect scenario going into a new season is that a club has done the majority of their recruitment by then and new signings have had sufficient time to work with the players and manager, although it is very rarely the case for many in the game. Making five new signings prior to jetting off on their summer tour of South Korea, the Lilywhites added their sixth on Tuesday morning with Djed Spence's move from Middlesbrough completed.
Conte and his team now have a good amount of time to work with the new additions and get them up to speed before their Premier League opener against Southampton. Spurs aren't done in the market just yet, however, and we could well see more movement in terms of incomings before the transfer deadline on Thursday, September 1.
READ MORE: Fabio Paratici is two transfers away from finalising Antonio Conte's Tottenham summer priority
Fabio Paratici has made some key changes in defence this summer for Conte, bringing wing-backs Ivan Perisic and Spence to the club, as well as the arrival of centre-back Clement Lenglet on a season-long loan deal from Barcelona. So what else do Tottenham need to do in defence before the window slams shut? football.london takes a look.
Outgoings
Outgoings are very much the priority at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium now due to the amount of players coming in. Conte has plenty of options to pick from in defence as things stand but it is vital that some are moved on so they can get regular minutes elsewhere.
In central defence, Joe Rodon requires a move after barely featuring for the Lilywhites last campaign. The Welshman needs to get back to playing week in, week out after two seasons with limited appearances, especially with the World Cup on the horizon.
The decision Conte and Paratici have to make is whether the 24-year-old leaves on loan or permanently. The former may be the better option as a successful loan spell would either help Rodon compete for a place in the Spurs team upon his return or increase his value if he is to be sold.
Another player who could depart is Japhet Tanganga, who has been linked with a loan move to Italy. Serie A champions AC Milan have been tipped to sign the versatile player and a spell at the San Siro would undoubtedly help take his development to the next level.
Tanganga's versatility is a big plus point for Conte and Spurs as he can play in a number of different positions, but the Lilywhites now need to decide between what is best for the club and what is best for the player. Given Lenglet's arrival plus potentially another centre-back, a loan exit really does make sense for the academy graduate.
We could also see a couple of Spurs' wing-back options head elsewhere in the coming weeks as Conte is now blessed with choice in the wide areas. The writing appears to be on the wall for Sergio Reguilon as the Spaniard was left out of Tottenham's plans in South Korea and instead remained behind at Hotspur Way to work on his fitness.
Spurs shouldn't be short of suitors for Reguilon and now it is down to Paratici to bring in the best possible fee for the ex-Real Madrid man unless they decide let him leave on loan first. It will then be between Perisic and Ryan Sessegnon for a starting spot at left wing-back, with Matt Doherty able to cover there if injury strikes.
On the right, Spence's move could see one of Doherty or Emerson Royal pushed towards the exit door as a result. Although Emerson only joined from Barcelona one year ago, he has been tipped to return to Spain and his struggles at wing-back could give the club a simple call to make if one of the duo is to head for pastures new.
Incomings
Tottenham have already made some key moves in the transfer market to strengthen their backline heading into the new season. However, an additional centre-back is going to be needed if Rodon and Tanganga leave.
Conte has made it clear that he wants two players for each position, thus meaning the Lilywhites will require a signing to operate in the central role of the back three or on the left.
Previously looking at Alessandro Bastoni and Josko Gvardiol on the left, Spurs in the end signed Lenglet on loan from Barcelona to cover the role. The Frenchman can also play centrally and compete with Eric Dier for the starting position, meaning Paratici will have a choice of either a central centre-back or a left-sided one if Spurs do indeed look to add more cover.
Linked with Gleison Bremer of Torino, the Brazilian now looks set to stay in Turin but seal a move across the city and link up with Juventus in a big-money deal. Outgoings may be a priority for Tottenham right now but a bit of movement could see Paratici spring into action once again.
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