Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy is often noted as a shrewd operator when it comes to transfers, although that's not to say that the 60-year-old always gets it right with the club's incoming and outgoings.

One scenario where the frugal businessman appears to have made what could be a costly error is with the sale of versatile defender Juan Foyth, the Argentine having gone on to impress since his £13m departure for Villarreal last summer.

The 24-year-old had spent four years on the books at Tottenham after being signed from Estudiantes by compatriot Mauricio Pochettino in 2017, although he was hardly given a look-in over the next few seasons, making just 16 Premier League appearances for the Lilywhites in total.

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A loan move to Spain ensued for the 2020/21 campaign after the 6 foot 2 gem had fallen out of favour under Jose Mourinho, before he was snapped up on a permanent deal by Unai Emery and co after impressing during that temporary stint.

This season has seen the £27k-per-week gem kick on again for the La Liga side, playing his part as the Yellow Submarine surged to the Champions League semi-finals, before crashing out at the hands of Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool.

In Europe's premier club competition, the La Plata native averaged a remarkable 3.7 tackles, 1.2 interceptions and 2.1 clearances per game from his ten outings, while also winning 1.9 of his aerial duels per match.

Comfortable at both right-back and in the centre of defence, Foyth also ranks in the top 3% for tackles made among players in his position across Europe's top five leagues, and in the top 13% for pressures made, illustrating his sheer desire to regain possession for his team.

Such an asset would no doubt have a place in Antonio Conte's current side as either a defensive wing-back or as part of the back three, with the Italian likely to be impressed by the former Spurs man's full-blooded approach, while the club are currently suffering a real shortage of defensive options at present.

In a business sense as well, the north London outfit's decision to sever ties with the player now seems an odd one, with Foyth now valued at £18m - £5m more than the amount for which he was sold just a year ago.

Tottenham are likely to go into the market to bolster their defensive ranks this summer, although they could well have been better served retaining the services of the 14-cap Argentina international, with Conte set to have nightmares about his departure.

In other news - Imagine him & Bentancur: Spurs can find perfect Conte gem in £49.5m-rated "phenomenon"