Tottenham Hotspur have edged one step closer to signing Adama Traore this month...

What's the word?

According to the Daily Telegraph's Matt Law, Spurs sporting director Fabio Paratici has opened talks with Wolverhampton Wanderers to bring the 25-year-old to north London.

He delivered an update in a series of tweets.

"Daniel Levy travels to the Bahamas for Joe Lewis meeting that could prove key to Conte's plans/Paratici opens talks over deal to sign Adama Traore from Wolves," he said.

Before adding: "I've never been that fussed about Adama Traore. But I do look at him and think Conte could make him into a really top player. I'd be quite excited if I was a Spurs fan and they manage to get him, as they hope to do."

Wolves could let the Spain international leave for as little as £20m.

Wing-back monster

As Law suggests, there is plenty for Spurs fans to be excited about amid this major development.

There will be concerns over Traore's end product, having failed to contribute a goal or assist from 20 appearances this season. However, his fit for Antonio Conte's system and the Italian's proven track record in improving players should provide further encouragement.

The Athletic reported earlier in the week that the Spaniard would be viewed as an attacking right wing-back - a role in which he has played before at Molineux - as he can offer more in the final third than Emerson Royal.

There aren't many players capable of fulfilling that role, so Traore could be transitioned easier than most. Conte did a similar thing at Chelsea with Victor Moses, converting the winger into a wing-back and then winning the Premier League in 2017 and FA Cup in 2018.

Traore leads the division for dribbles (4.5 per game) and has also averaged one key pass per outing, via WhoScored. By comparison, Emerson only manages 0.8 successful dribbles per match in the English top-flight.

Standing at 5 foot 10, the wide man is built like a brick wall - something Rio Ferdinand once referenced on BT Sport (as relayed by Birmingham Live), saying: "He's a machine. I was watching him pre-game and he could be a powerlifter or a cruiser-weight boxer - he's huge."

The praise doesn't stop there for the Wolves man. It's never-ending.

Southampton forward Che Adams dubbed him a "monster", Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp deemed him to be "unplayable", whilst football.london reporter Alasdair Gold believes he "scares defences with his running and strength."

The £25.2m-rated powerhouse must be doing something right.

On the above evidence, Traore would surely be a fantastic signing for Spurs to make. He would fit right in with Conte's system and has plenty of experience in the Premier League.

For just £20m, it is surely a no-brainer.

AND in other news, Alasdair Gold issues exciting Spurs transfer update...