Tottenham Hotspur could seal something of a perfect eighth signing of the summer transfer window in Ruslan Malinovskyi...

What's the word?

The north Londoners have been heavily mooted with a move for the Atalanta midfielder in recent weeks and now Daily Express journalist Ryan Taylor has given his thoughts on the 29-year-old's potential arrival at Hotspur Way.

"He’s a kind of Conte-type player, a hard worker. He can play in multiple systems," he told GIVEMESPORT.

"Atalanta are an exciting team, they play good football, they play attractive football, expansive football, but they’re also a hard-working team that have become a tough nut to crack, on the basis of, they’re not really anywhere near the size of some of the top Italian clubs."

La Dea value the Ukraine international at €20m (£17m), whilst a swap deal involving Sergio Reguilon has been talked about, as per Italian outlet Corriere Bergamo.

Perfect for Conte

Indeed, it appears as if Malinovskyi would be a dream end to the summer transfer window for Conte as he searches for that final missing piece to bolster his squad - a creative and versatile midfielder.

Last season, the former Genk star provided ten goals and seven assists, averaging one direct goal contribution every 136 minutes, and he has continued that fine form into the new campaign, where he delivered an assist in Atalanta's season-opening win over Sampdoria and a rocket of a goal in their draw to defending champions AC Milan, as per Transfermarkt.

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The strike was a typical one from the Ukraine gem as he fired home from the edge of the box with a powerful strike from his left foot, something that has been described as being a "cannon" and as "stunning" by those watching closely in the press.

Malinovskyi can operate as a no.8. no.6, on either flank and as a secondary striker or centre-forward, having played in as many as seven different positions throughout his 11-year professional career, so that will be a big attraction for Conte, who could plug and play him wherever he needs him.

It's also clear that he's a busy presence in the final third from the engine room, having ranked inside the top 3% for total shots, the top 4% for progressive passes, the top 5% for shot-creating actions and the top 9% for assists per 90 when compared to fellow attacking midfielders and wingers in Europe, via FBref.

So that's another huge tick for the Italian as his work rate is an ideal fit for his system and his demands in N17.

Once lauded as a "playmaker" by Evening Standard journalist Simon Collings, it's evident that Malinovskyi would be something of a perfect end to the summer for the Spurs boss as he looks to transform the fortunes of the underperforming Lilywhites.

Whether it's £17m or some sort of loan-to-buy, it's clear that the Ukraine dynamo would be an ideal player to sign before deadline day on September 1st and as such, sporting director Fabio Paratici must look to get this deal done.

AND in other news, Alasdair Gold: Spurs eye "fearless" £50m machine, could be bye-bye 21 y/o "big talent"...