Antonio Conte wants to bring his former defender Stefan de Vrij to Tottenham Hotspur, according to reports...
What's the word?
The Guardian's Dave Hytner claims that the Italian believes a major overhaul to the squad is needed following transfer discussions with chairman Daniel Levy in recent days.
Conte feels like he needs a centre-back, midfielder, right wing-back and a striker.
As a result, the Inter Milan star has emerged as a genuine target but he does not fit Levy's desired profile for signings as the Dutch international will turn 30 next month.
Levy U-turn
The Spurs supremo must make a U-turn in order to land Conte his desired target.
After the departures of Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld in recent windows, the Lilywhites have been left with a lack of experience in the backline and as Thiago Silva is proving at 37 for Chelsea, age isn't a concern for a central defender.
De Vrij played a starring role in last season's domestic triumph, where Conte led Inter to their first Serie A title in over a decade. He played 32 times on their way to being the best defence in the league, where he also averaged two aerial duels won, 1.3 interceptions and a 93.8% passing accuracy, via WhoScored.
It's no wonder his former Lazio partner Mauricio waxed lyrical about his ability to ESPN.
"Stefan is a great defender and deserves to be at a big club. He’s very tall, he’s strong and fast, he runs a lot - he’s a monster" he said (via Football Italia). "He’s a calm defender who never gets agitated."
Spurs' defensive issues have somewhat continued this season as seen in recent games. Davinson Sanchez and Japhet Tanganaga put in a bundle of errors against Chelsea in the first-leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final clash, whilst the latter's poor form rumbled on against League One outfit Morecambe.
It would be foolish for Levy to turn his nose up at de Vrij.
Valued at £18m by CIES Football Observatory, the 6 foot 2 colossus may be available for a very decent fee. If Conte, a former Premier League title-winner, wants him, then their chairman must sanction the move at all costs.
The Italian's past experience with him makes him a perfect January addition alone.
AND in other news, Contact made: Spurs have "sounded" out "phenomenal" 35-goal star, fans will be fuming...