Tottenham's interest in a reunion with their former midfielder Christian Eriksen is cooling, leaving Manchester United as clear favourites to land the Danish schemer on a free transfer from Inter Milan.
But Spurs are still confident of adding more new faces to Antonio Conte's squad before the rank-and-file squad – minus internationals who were on Nations League duty – report back for pre-season training next week.
Conte has already drafted in Yves Bissouma, Ivan Perisic and Fraser Forster but the Italian is keen to bring in at least three more to add depth to his side. Spurs will be playing in the Champions League next season and Conte will know the rigours that places on a season in which he will once again be aiming for a top four finish. .
Take it as Djed
Chairman Daniel Levy has taken personal charge of Tottenham's £15 million pursuit of Middlesbrough wing-back Djed Spence. Spurs' initial bid for Spence – who played a leading role on loan at promoted Nottingham Forest's return to the Premier League after 23 years – was knocked back by Boro, who are holding out for £20m including add-ons.
Levy has left sporting director Fabio Paratici to concentrate on other deals while he tries to wrap up Tottenham's fourth new signing of the window, and more talks are planned with the Teessiders this week. Spence is believed to favour a move back to London, where he was releaed from Fulham's academy four years ago.
Bastoni setback
Head coach Antonio Conte's chances of a reunion with Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni appear to have receded after the Italian international's agent claimed he was staying at the San Siro.
Bastoni, 23, was one of Conte's key summer targets as a left-sided centre-back ideally suited to his preferred three-man back line. But the London Evening Standard have relayed an update from the player's representative Tullio Tinti, who revealed: “Bastoni is on holiday. He is staying, we respect the contract. We will do the renewal as soon as Inter call us.”
Tinti's comments followed a meeting with the Inter board, who underlined their enthusiasm for keeping Bastoni for at least another season.
Trio still heading for exit
After defender Cameron Carter-Vickers turned his loan at Celtic into a permanent move, three more Spurs stars are heading for the exit. England midfielder Harry Winks, Wales defender Joe Rodon and Dutch striker Steven Bergwijn are all expected to move on as part of Conte's makeover.
Bergwijn made no secret of his desire to leave Tottenham in search of a regular starting place elsewhere, telling Netherlands publication Algemeen Dagblad: “It would be nice if there was clarity soon. I just have to go play, but I want to leave Spurs now, that's for sure.”
Signed from PSV for £27million two years ago, Tottenham want to recoup as much of their outlay as possible for Bergwijn, and chairman Daniel Levy will not sell him on the cheap. But a deal with Ajax is thought to be close, with Football Insider reporting “advanced talks” between the clubs.
