Tottenham Hotspur are aiming to bolster Antonio Conte's backline this summer, according to reports...

What's the word?

The Telegraph's Mike McGrath claims that Spurs have three central defenders on their radar ahead of next season, one of which being Lille colossus Sven Botman, who was heavily pursued by Newcastle United in January.

Conte's former Inter Milan star Alessandro Bastoni and RB Leipzig gem Josko Gvardiol also feature on their shortlist.

Taking Spurs to the next level

It would be quite the statement to beat the Saudi-backed Magpies to Botman's signature in the summer and he would be a signing that helps elevate the north Londoners onto the next level.

The Lilywhites have lost just once in the Premier League since the Italian's arrival in November but still remain some way off the sides inside the top four, as the man himself referenced following their defeat to Chelsea last month.

"I have to think that in 14 days we lost three times to Chelsea. It means there's a different level between us and them," he told reporters (via football.london).

"To lose three games in 14 days means they are much stronger than you, as a team and as a squad.

"You have to accept this but only after a performance like tonight. Because we tried everything to get a big result here. But sometimes it's not enough, especially when you play against this type of team. This club are on another level compared to us."

Indeed, they are the Champions of Europe after all but they are the only side to have bested Spurs in the top-flight, so that's an encouraging sign about the future under Conte.

The 52-year-old must be backed quite heavily in the summer if he's to bridge the gap to the likes of Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool.

A place in the top four isn't out of reach either but it must be built upon and they can do so with the arrival of a player like Botman - a young but ready-made talent fit for the physicality of the Premier League.

Alongside Cristian Romero and Eric Dier, Spurs could have quite the backline and results like the ones against the Blues will quickly become a thing of the past.

The 22-year-old Dutch international played a crucial role in Lille clinching the Ligue 1 title over Paris Saint-Germain last season, where he featured in 37 games and averaged 3.2 aerial duels won, 3.2 clearances and 1.5 interceptions, via WhoScored.

His former manager Christophe Galtier waxed lyrical about his influence back in October 2020. He said (via the Ligue 1 official website):

"In football, you have leaders who are vocal, ones who gesticulate and ones who shake the team up… I have a few of those but you also have people who lead by example, through their performances, and it's true that Sven is emerging as this type of leader."

Valued at £27m by Transfermarkt, Botman is the sort of signing that could take Spurs onto the next level and given the lack of top-quality defenders at the club, he's someone that Conte would surely love to land this summer.

AND in other news, Conte may have an even better Eden Hazard at Spurs in "explosive" £27m-rated "monster"...