Tottenham were in talks to sign £42m ace, now Paratici’s deal looks dead

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Take a moment to consider what Antonio Conte wants from a midfielder.  

A fierce work ethic? That’s a given. Tactical flexibility? That could certainly come in handy.

Confidence in possession combined with a willingness to do the dirty work off the ball too? Well, that’s pretty much non-negotiable as far one of the game’s most uncompromising tacticians is concerned.  

As Tanguy Ndombele found out the hard way, Conte will go for tenacity over technique, endeavour over entertainment-factor, every day of the week.

Perhaps the most naturally gifted central midfielder in Tottenham’s squad, Ndombele has – for what feels like the umpteenth time – been relegated to the fringes with the sweat-shedding Oliver Skipp and the industrious Harry Winks earning Conte’s trust.  

So while Sofyan Amrabat is hardly the most glamourous, most instantly-recognisable midfielder linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur this month, the Morocco international may actually prove to be an inspired piece of business.

Talented yet tenacious, blessed with purpose as well as poise, Amrabat ticks plenty of Conte’s boxes if not all of them.

According to The Guardian, Tottenham are closing in on a deal that will see the 25-year-old former Feyenoord and Club Brugge man arrive on loan, complete with a £13.4 million purchase clause. 

But while Amrabat packs his bags and prepares to head for the airport, Corentin Tolisso is doing nothing of the sort.

Is Corentin Tolisso now staying at Bayern Munich?

According to Football Italia, Tottenham have held talks to sign the £42 million World Cup-winning France international.

Fabio Paratici, Spurs’ managing director, was disappointed to miss out on Tolisso during his time at Juventus. But, four years after he was pipped to the post by perennial German champions Bayern Munich, Paratici looked well placed to secure his long-term transfer target at last. 

The report even suggested that discussions over wags had taken place. Tolisso wanted £100,000-a-week in North London.

But that was November 19^th. And a lot has changed in the last two months, not just for Tottenham but Tolisso too. 

Because, while Spurs have turned their attention to Amrabat, Tolisso is emerging like a radiant butterfly from a cocoon of poor form and incessant injury problems.

He’s scored two goals in his last two Bundesliga games, including the sort of long-range rocket he made his trademark at Lyon during the recent 4-0 shellacking of Koln. 

A few months ago, it looked very unlikely that Tolisso would be offered new contract. According to Kicker, the Bayern bosses are now planning to do just that with a long-term deal in the pipleline.

But no matter.

Amrabat, on an initial loan deal, represents a relatively low-risk, potentially high-reward sort of signing. He’ll command far lower wages than Tolisso too and comes without an injury record longer than Michael Caine’s filmography.