Tottenham manager Antonio Conte has led his side to fourth in the Premier League, as it stands, and is on the verge of sealing a place in Europe's premier cup competition for 2022/23.

Finishing in the top four could have a major impact on their business in the summer as it could help their efforts to land a certain Lazio gem.

It was recently reported that Spurs will make a move for Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, with Fabio Paratici plotting a swoop for the midfielder if the club can secure Champions League qualification this season.

He is reportedly valued at €80m (£66m) by the Italian outfit and he is attracting interest from other teams, with PSG and Juventus said to be keen on him.

Antonio Conte would love him

The Spurs head coach needs him at the club as he would offer something different to the current crop of Spurs midfielders.

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Tottenham do not currently have any central midfielders who offer a big goal threat in the Premier League. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is the club's top-scoring player from that position with just two goals to his name, which suggests that they lack a player like Milinkovic-Savic.

In Europe's top five leagues over the past year, the Serbian international ranks in the 93rd percentile or higher for non-penalty goals, assists, expected assists, non-penalty expected goals, and shots per 90 - as per FBRef. He is also in the 80th percentile for shot-creating actions and in the 97th percentile for progressive passes, proving that he is an elite attack-minded midfielder.

Parma's sporting director Demetrio Albertini previously lauded his talent, saying: "Milinković-Savić has the characteristics of a great champion; he has extraordinary elegance."

This high praise is backed up by his incredible attacking statistics for Lazio. He has nine goals and nine assists in the Serie A this term, after producing eight goals and nine assists last season - proving his consistency in the final third.

At the age of 27, he is also now heading into his prime years and this means that Conte will not need to worry about him reaching his potential. Spurs have a number of young players in their squad, including Ollie Skipp in the same position, and it will be a relief for the head coach to have another experienced option to choose from in the middle of the park.

This, along with his attacking quality, is why the Italian boss needs him in North London next season. He can bring goals and to the side from midfield and take some of the pressure off Heung-Min Son, Harry Kane and Dejan Kulusevski, whilst also providing them with chances to score with his progressive passing.

AND in other news, Conte can finally axe "terrible" £91k-p/w dud as THFC plot bid for £58m-rated "leader"...