Tottenham Hotspur have been told what it will take to sign Ruslan Malinovskyi as their eighth signing of the summer transfer window...

What's the word?

According to Tutto Atalanta, the Ukraine international has 'said yes' to a move to Spurs but the two clubs are far apart in the valuation at the moment.

It's thought that the Serie A side Atalanta would like around €20m (£17m) if they are to sell him this month but the north Londoners are pushing to seal a loan-to-buy agreement.

If Atalanta cannot reach an agreement in that sense, then they could be open to letting him leave on loan if that contains an obligation - not an option - at the end of the temporary spell.

Pay up or miss out

With Spurs in the hunt for a creative piece to add to Antonio Conte's engine room, as per Express journalist Ryan Taylor, it could be wise for chairman Daniel Levy to sanction a permanent transfer for the 30-year-old maestro.

Last campaign, Malinovskyi provided the Italian outfit with ten goals and seven assists across 41 appearances and he did so playing in a variety of midfield roles, notably as a no.10 or no.8, as per Transfermarkt.

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That's more than what any of Conte's other central midfield options managed in the Premier League last season combined - Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Rodrigo Bentancur, Oliver Skipp and Harry Winks provided nine goal contributions between them.

On that evidence alone, the Ukraine star could be an instant solution to the lack of creative juices at Hotspur Way.

But furthermore, Malinovskyi has been likened to the likes of Lucas Paqueta, James Maddison and Mason Mount in terms of statistical profile, so it's easy to see why he would be a target for sporting director Fabio Paratici and co.

FBref also rank the experienced 30-year-old, who is thought to be on just £25k-per-week in Italy, inside the top 3% of his positional peers across Europe for total shots (3.46 per 90), the top 5% for progressive passes (5.79 per 90), and the top 7% for shot-creating actions (4.99 per 90).

This only highlights his ability to get forward and either get off an effort himself or generate a chance for one of his teammates.

Indeed, that's exactly why he has been lauded as "decisive" by his manager Gian Piero Gasperini but with the likes of top-flight rivals Nottingham Forest and Ligue 1 side Marseille also keen on his signature, Spurs need to take matters into their own hands.

As such, it's on Levy to pay up to land Tottenham's eighth signing of the summer.

AND in other news, Conte "wants" £50m "lethal playmaker", he's a true heir to £150k-p/w "wizard" at Spurs...