Tottenham face a crunch summer in north London as they look to upgrade Antonio Conte's squad ahead of the 2022/23 season. Making big changes to the playing staff over the past 12 months, Fabio Paratici still has plenty to do as part of the club's much-needed rebuild.
The January additions of Rodrigo Bentancur and Dejan Kulusevski have boosted the team in recent months and sparked an upturn in results, with Paratici's winter dealings leaving fans wanting more this summer. So what exactly would a dream summer transfer window look like for Tottenham? football.london takes a look.
Goalkeeper
There looks set to be some movement between the sticks ahead of next season, with Sam Johnstone a potential arrival from West Brom. As reported at the start of the month, football.london understands that Spurs are currently the favourites to tie up a deal to bring 29-year-old to the club in July once his contract ends with the West Midlands side.
READ MORE: Key Kulusevski change, Bergwijn call - Four changes Conte could make to freshen up Tottenham XI
The potential arrival of Johnstone suggests that Pierluigi Gollini's loan move from Atalanta will not become permanent. As a permanent deal for the Italian is believed to cost around £13m, that money could then be put towards other deals.
Defence
Paratici also has plenty of work to do in defence as he looks to strengthen Spurs' backline. A new right wing-back will once again need to be a transfer priority after failing to strengthen the position in January, with a left-sided centre-back also high up on the shopping list.
In terms of the right wing-back position, Tottenham have been linked with a number of players recently such as Djed Spence and Serie A duo Denzel Dumfries and Wilfried Singo. Brighton & Hove Albion's Tariq Lamptey has also been mentioned in regards to a switch to N17 in the past and he may be the better option to pursue, due to his Premier League experience and homegrown status.
One centre-back signing Tottenham do need to wrap up is the permanent addition of Cristian Romero. Arriving from Atalanta on a season-long loan deal with an option - not obligation - to buy for £42.5million, the move is expected to be a formality, hence why a five-year contract was agreed when he joined.
As well as Ben Davies has done in the left-sided centre-back role, Tottenham need to bring in another left-footed defender in order to keep the balance if the Welshman is ever missing. Pau Torres, who was linked with a move from Villarreal last summer, would be a good option, but Inter Milan's Alessandro Bastoni could be the man due to his experience of working with Conte at the San Siro previously.
Tottenham have good options at left wing-back in Sergio Reguilon and Ryan Sessegnon, although both need to do more to convince Paratici that the position doesn't need strengthening. Outgoings also need to take place in order to balance the books, with Emerson Royal, Joe Rodon and Cameron Carter-Vickers all potential departures on a permanent basis.
Midfield
Bentancur boosted the midfield numbers in January following his move from Juventus, but Paratici still needs to take a look at the middle of the park ahead of the 2022/23 campaign. Bentancur, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Oliver Skipp look set to battle it out for the two positions in midfield and that could pave the way for Harry Winks to exit on a permanent basis.
Tanguy Ndombele and Giovani Lo Celso could also follow the midfielder out of the door for good as they don't appear to be in Conte's long-term plans, going on the decision to allow them to move on loan in January. As Daniel Levy will want to recoup as much money for the duo as possible, Spurs shouldn't be short on short on offers for Lo Celso, considering his impressive form for Villarreal, but it may be a different story with Ndombele.
Money from the potential sale of the pair can then be used for midfield incomings, with Leicester City's Youri Tielemans in the headlines recently regarding a switch to north London. Going from strength to strength at the King Power Stadium following his transfer from Monaco, the 24-year-old may be on the move as he will soon enter the final 12 months of his Leicester contract.
Tottenham could strike a deal for the Belgian for a reduced fee, although they wouldn't have it all their own way, with a number of clubs believed to be monitoring his situation. Another possible incoming at the club could be former Spurs man Christian Eriksen.
Now at Brentford after they gave him the chance to return to the game in January following the cardiac arrest he suffered at Euro 2020, the Dane has wowed for the Bees and played a major role in their rise up the table. The 30-year-old's short-term contract expires this summer and he would be a good option to bring in to help strengthen Spurs' squad.
One other outgoing at Tottenham this summer could be Pape Matar Sarr. Joining the club from Metz before rejoining the French club on a season-long loan deal, another temporary move could be in the pipeline if Conte does not believe he is ready to be part of his plans for 2022/23.
Attack
One position Paratici desperately needs to solve before next season begins is up front. While Tottenham currently boast one of the best players in the world in Harry Kane in the position, Spurs must bring in another option after failing to do so in previous transfer windows.
Tottenham were keen on a deal for Inter Milan's Lautaro Martinez last summer but unfortunately couldn't get a deal over the line with the Italian club instead selling Romelu Lukaku to Chelsea. It's very much a transfer they could look to revisit as they aim to take their attack to another level.
Almost three years on from missing out on him, could this be the summer when Spurs finally clinch a deal for Paulo Dybala? The Juventus man will depart Turin on a free transfer this summer and it's one Paratici will have to weigh up given the player's qualities and the fact he is available for nothing.
Having agreed an 18-month loan deal with Juventus for Kulusevski in January, the Lilywhites need to move early and sign him on a permanent basis as they can save some money this summer rather than waiting until the end of his loan. One player who could be heading out of the door on a permanent basis, however, is Steven Bergwijn due to his lack of minutes in north London.
Linked with a return home to the Netherlands back in January with Ajax keen on his services, the Dutch giants may attempt to sign him once again this summer. If Bergwijn does end up departing then he will need replacing, as Spurs cannot leave themselves too light out wide.
Bryan Gil could come back into Conte's plans for next term after such a successful loan spell at Valencia. However, Jack Clarke, who will soon enter the final year of his deal, needs to depart on a permanent basis for the sake of his career as his move from Leeds United has not gone to plan at all.
