Tottenham Hotspur bolstered their squad in the summer transfer window as Fabio Paratici attempted to improve Antonio Conte's side with a raft of new signings.

Fraser Forster, Ivan Perisic, Yves Bissouma, Richarlison, Djed Spence, and Clement Lenglet all came through the door to add depth to the ranks.

However, the Italian sporting director did not enjoy a perfect summer and one thing he may look back on with regret is his failure to sign left-back Borna Sosa from Bundesliga outfit Stuttgart.

Christian Falk reported that Chelsea and Spurs were both interested in signing the full-back earlier this year and Sky Germany claimed that Stuttgart wanted €30m (£26m) for his services.

However, Paratici did not end up sealing a deal to sign the defender and went through the window without adding a left-back option to Conte's squad.

Ryan Sessegnon has started eight Premier League matches on the left this term and averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.67, whilst Sosa has averaged a score of 7.13 in the Bundesliga across 10 starts.

The 24-year-old Croatian has also caught the eye in the 2022 World Cup for his country this season, impressing in their three group stage matches.

His defensive prowess has been on show in Qatar as he has played a crucial role in his side keeping two shutouts in three matches, with vital clearances and tackles, whilst averaging an impressive rating.

However, he is also a huge threat in the final third as he has proven himself to be adept at creating chances for others in the German top-flight.

Sven Mislintat previously compared the gem to an England legend in regards to his deliveries from out wide, telling Bild, via the Bundesliga: "Borna's said himself that David Beckham is his role model, and I think he has the same qualities.

The sporting director added: "He puts in crosses from every angle: sometimes chipped, sometimes drilled, sometimes flat, sometimes in behind, sometimes to the front post, other times to the back post. His left foot is a real weapon."

Since the start of last season, Sosa has registered 13 assists and created 13 'big chances' for his teammates in the Bundesliga - averaging at least 2.2 key passes per match in that time, which no Spurs player has been able to better in the Premier League during that period.

The Croatian international also registered nine assists and 10 'big chances' created in the 2020/21 Bundesliga campaign, which shows that he has been providing consistent quality from left-back for a number of years.

His current form at the World Cup could now put him in the shop window ahead of the January transfer window and Spurs could face stiff competition for his signature if they decide to go back in for him now.

Tottenham, therefore, had a howler by not signing him in the summer as they missed out on a brilliant left-back option who would have been an upgrade on Sessegnon.