Tottenham Hotspur ’s risk of missing out on UEFA Champions League football for next season could therefore mean losing Antonio Conte to resignation as a result, but the club hierarchy are already putting a plan in place to ensure the Italian stays.
The 52-year-old has already set out his demands of signing at least six new players in the next transfer window should he stay, as he aims to build a squad that will become capable of competing for and winning trophies next season.
And according to The Sun, Spurs are now on the lookout for a no.2 to managing director of football Fabio Paratici in order to assist him in securing Conte’s top targets this summer.
The report reveals that the north London outfit want to provide some more support to Paratici, who joined the club in June 2021 after 11 years at Juventus, following the departure of technical performance director Steve Hitchen in February, who resigned after being marginalised by Paratici’s arrival.
Paratici was key to the signing of Cristian Romero last summer, as well as the January transfer window arrivals of Juventus pair Rodrigo Bentancur and Dejan Kulusevski, with all three being big successes. The 49-year-old had previously signed the trio whilst at Juve, too.
With there still a certain air of doubt surrounding Conte’s future in north London beyond this season, especially if Spurs fail to secure a top four finish, while Paris Saint-Germain are also snooping around for the Italian to replace Mauricio Pochettino, the Lilywhites are doing all they can to ensure they have the best chance of signing his top targets.
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Conte has revealed that he wants at least six new signings this summer, with additions of players in five key positions a priority ahead of next season. Should the Italian remain at the helm ahead of the 2022-23 campaign, it is sure to be a hectic transfer window in this part of north London.
It is believed that the 52-year-old wishes for a new left-sided centre back, a back-up goalkeeper, a right wing-back, a central midfielder and another striker. This would also come with the permanent additions of Cristian Romero and Dejan Kulusevski following their impressive loan spells.
Romero and Eric Dier are expected to maintain their places in Conte’s back three for next season, but the Italian now wants a left-sided centre back to complete the trio, which is reportedly a priority. Ben Davies has been converted from a left back to fill the void this campaign, but is not expected to resume that role beyond this season.
Conte also wants a new shot stopper who can provide competition for current no. 1 Hugo Lloris, who recently signed a new contract at the club, and Spurs are currently in the lead for England international Sam Johnstone, who is out of contract at West Bromwich Albion in the summer.
Despite the addition of Bentancur in January, Conte is keen on adding to his central midfield options once more in the summer. Leicester City’s Youri Tielemans and Brentford’s Christian Eriksen are two players who have been earmarked for a move, with the latter’s short-term deal with the Bees running out this summer.
A back-up striker for Harry Kane is also required, but finding someone who wants to play second fiddle will be hard to find. Torino striker Andrea Belotti has been one of the names to be suggested for the role in recent months, but should Kane leave, Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez is a possible replacement.
