Tottenham hierarchy split in search for new signings as Conte eyes top talent

Tottenham manager Antonio Conte is keen to bolster his squad with top talent so they can close the gap on Manchester City and Liverpool next season

Joined-up thinking needs to be the secret of a successful summer in the transfer market for Tottenham.

Manager Antonio Conte is keen on the players he can trust to move Spurs up a level from Champions League contenders to the title challenger he wants to be to whet his own appetite to return to becoming a battler for the game’s very top honours.

At the same time, managing director Fabio Paratici is eager to demonstrate the value of his contacts book by trawling through it to find cut-price bargains he likes.

All of which leaves Daniel Levy looking to make sure the club does not miss out on the bargains that can sustain the club’s balance book over the coming seasons.

Ultimately, though, Conte is the man who needs to be kept most on message at a time when the new project build is at its most precarious.

De Vrij cool about Tottenham move

Antonio Conte has made a reunion with his former Inter Milan defender Stefan de Vrij his “absolute priority” this summer.

Tottenham’s defensive stability is key to Conte making a more sustained assault on the title and De Vrij could be available for as little as £15m with just a year left on his current contract with Inter Milan.

The pair won Serie A together and reports from Spain say Conte has made him his “absolute priority”.

Paratici in queue for Satriano

Fabio Paratici at the same time is making his presence known back home in Italy by adding his name to the list of suitors for Inter striker Martin Satriano.

The Uruguay striker told L’Interista that he was happy to hear of Tottenham’s interest, having previously been linked with a move to Chelsea.

For years Tottenham have been looking for a second striker to share the burden with Harry Kane and occasionally play alongside him to no avail.

The 21-year-old has been on loan at Brest in the second half of the season, scoring four goals in 15 appearances for the Ligue 1 side.

Spurs could miss out on bargain buy

There is nother Daniel Levy likes more than a bargain, but West Ham look to be sniffing around goalkeeping target Sam Johnstone at West Brom.

The England stopper had been identified as the ideal man to act as understudy to Hugo Lloris next season and begin to challenge the France World Cup winner for his place.

Not least because the fact he is out of contract at the Hawthorns this summer would have made him a free transfer.

Now, though, reports in Italy say that he may now be looking for a faster track to Premier League football at the age of 29.

Similarly, suggestions that Tottenham may look to extend the loan deal for current deputy goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini from Atalanta, could make the London Stadium a more attractive proposition.