Tottenham Hotspur are pushing ahead with their plans to bolster Antonio Conte's playing squad this January, according to emerging reports...

What's the word?

Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth dropped a fresh transfer claim live on air this week, suggesting that the north London outfit were on the lookout for additions in two key areas, in which a familiar name was just one of their targets.

"It's not all about departures as far as Tottenham are concerned. They are working very hard behind the scenes to strengthen the priority positions, and what they see as those priority positions - right wing-back and a striker," he revealed to 'The Transfer Show' on Monday evening (as relayed by Football Daily).

"And remember, we brought you the news last week, [they have] strong interest in Wolves winger come wing-back - potentially if he were to fit into that formation at Tottenham - Adama Traore."

Interesting...

This is certainly an update which is sure to leave many supporters around the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium a little intrigued, if not hugely excited.

It could be argued that Conte needs options right across the pitch this month, so it's interesting to learn that he sees his two weakest spots being up front, where an out-of-form Harry Kane is his only senior option, and perhaps more surprisingly at right wing-back, where Spurs strengthened in summer by signing Emerson Royal from Barcelona.

The Times reported earlier this week that the Italian head coach does not believe the Brazilian fits the system, especially going forward, whereas the powerful Wolves star does.

They also have Matt Doherty, a tried-and-tested wing-back, but it appears that his future may lie elsewhere, so even if he departs, the club will need to replace his presence in the squad.

Meanwhile, a viable alternative to Kane has long been a problem in N17. Last season, the loan signing of Carlos Vinicius paid off as he pretty much did the job asked of him but he was not replaced in the summer, even despite intense speculation over the England skipper's future.

Truth be told, no centre-forward is going to want to play second-fiddle to the 28-year-old but given Conte's tactical history - especially more recently at Inter - they should be encouraged by the fact that he has often deployed two up top. It was Romelu Lukaku's partnership with Lautaro Martinez which spearheaded the Italian giants to their first Scudetto in over a decade.

However, there is a case to be made in needing a central defender. Davinson Sanchez and Japhet Tanganga have been inconsistent and at times, calamitous. Joe Rodon just isn't fancied by the 52-year-old, whilst Cristian Romero remains on the treatment table, for the time being.

Elsewhere, another central midfielder wouldn't go amiss, particularly if someone like Dele Alli or Tanguy Ndombele departs before January 31st.

But all in all, there is plenty of hope for Spurs fans that they will do some much-needed business this month, and Sheth's recent behind-the-scenes update is sure to provide plenty of excitement heading into the back end of the transfer window.

The Lilywhites faithful will surely be buzzing by this update.

AND in other news, Bid made: Spurs eye club-record swoop for "frightening" machine, Conte will be buzzing...