Tottenham Hotspur have signed Inter Milan winger Ivan Perisic but remain interested in signing another left-wing-back option, so here are five for Antonio Conte to now consider.
Spurs are striving to strengthen in the summer sales to support Conte after qualifying for the Champions League. The Italian also met chairman Daniel Levy and managing director Fabio Paratici after the season, who offered Conte concessions on their previous policies.
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That’s according to the Evening Standard, who report Conte questioned Tottenham’s past policy of targeting younger players. He is now free to add veterans of his choosing and has made Perisic the north Londoners’ first signing in a deal the club announced on Tuesday.
Tottenham sign Perisic but remain in the market for a left-wing-back
Perisic is free to join Tottenham as his contract at Inter Milan expires on June 30. He is now expected to earn around £100k-a-week at Spurs, where the Croatian adds vast experience and will know what Conte will demand from him from their time together at the San Siro.
Conte fielded the 33-year-old in 32 Serie A fixtures in the 2020/21 season as the Nerazzurri won the Scudetto. Perisic also offered four goals and five assists that term, before the 113-cap international hit eight goals and seven assists in 35 games during the ‘21/22 campaign.
Perisic’s move from Inter Milan to Tottenham may not be Conte’s only left-wing-back transfer this summer, though. The Italian remains open to strengthening his options in the position, with Perisic then able to operate in a more advanced position in his plans.
Tottenham are interested in several possible targets who could improve Conte’s left-wing-back options beyond signing Perisic from Inter Milan. So, with that in mind, here are five players who can follow the Croatian to north London and compete for minutes next term…
Tottenham admire one of the Bundesliga’s best crossers in Filip Kostic
One left-wing-back option the Evening Standard report Tottenham are also interested in is Filip Kostic of Eintracht Frankfurt. The Express also report Spurs admire the 45-cap Serbian, and note they sent staff to scout the £25m ace in the Europa League final against Rangers.
Kostic played a leading role in Die Adler winning the UEFA tournament, too, after assisting Rafael Borre’s equaliser. It marked his 15th assist of the season, along with seven goals, in 43 games. The 29-year-old also scored his penalty in the shoot-out to go 5-4 in the lead.
Borre burying Kostic’s cross marked his sixth Europa League assist this term. The Frankfurt dynamo also offered nine in 31 Bundesliga games, as one of the German top-flight’s lead creators. Only David Raum offered more crosses from open play (188) than Kostic (186).
Conte could shop in Germany for Stuttgart star Borna Sosa
Conte could shop elsewhere in Germany than Frankfurt to sign a left-wing-back this year, too. That’s because Christian Falk reported in February that Tottenham are interested in Stuttgart star Borna Sosa. But the Bild journalist added Chelsea and Arsenal are also keen.
A deal for Sosa would set Spurs back €25m (£21.25m) according to Kicker, who report Die Roten have given the Croatian – who Barcelona have scouted – their verbal agreement he can leave for that sum. Stuttgart gave the 24-year-old their word after staying in January.
Sosa overlooked a move away to help Stuttgart avoid relegation from the Bundesliga with eight assists in 28 games. He also offered the German top-flight’s fourth-most crosses from open play with 107, to show Conte he could offer a dynamic presence in Tottenham’s side.
Tottenham could rival Newcastle interest in Atletico Madrid star Renan Lodi
With Perisic now signing for Tottenham in a free transfer, Conte could use a large part of his budget to rival Newcastle United’s interest in Atletico Madrid star Renan Lodi this summer.
Reports by Football Transfers note Newcastle remain interested in Lodi after holding talks for the Brazilian in January. He is also on the radar of another proven Premier League side. But Mundo Deportivo note Los Colchoneros will want his €60m (£51m) release clause paid.
The Spanish publication also note Lodi wants to leave Atletico Madrid as he is frustrated at his role under Diego Simeone. A spot in the Brazil squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar additionally fuels his desire for pastures new to ensure Tite does not leave him at home.
Conte could shop in Premier League with Brentford raid for Rico Henry
If Conte wants an option with Premier League experience, Tottenham could follow signing Perisic by raiding Brentford for Rico Henry. The 24-year-old produced an impressive debut season in the top-flight this term as the Bees avoided an immediate Championship return.
Henry started 33 of his 34 appearances split 22 in midfield and 12 at left-back, so could be ideal for Conte’s 3-5-2 system. He is also young, so can still develop significantly under the Italian. But the Birmingham-born ace also earned Thomas Frank’s praise for his defending.
“Rico has seamlessly made the step up to the Premier League,” Frank told Brentford’s club website in March after he signed a new contract through to the summer of, at least, 2026.
“Defensively, he is fantastic and you can see the way he defends one on one against some great attackers. He is also contributing up the field with the way he can arrive in the penalty area, as we have seen this season.”
Tottenham could revive interest in Leonardo Spinazzola after injury delay
The summer market could also see Tottenham revive their interest in Leonardo Spinazzola after a one-year delay. The Express reported last June that the Roma full-back had caught Spurs’ attention – as well as Chelsea’s – after playing a leading role for Italy at Euro 2020.
However, an injury meant he could not follow winning the UEFA tournament by moving to the Premier League. Spinazzola tore his Achilles tendon and missed nine months of action before returning this April. Now, Conte could sign the man who blew Rio Ferdinand away.
“The most creative player for Italy,” he claimed on Match of the Day. “You see the stats, dribbles and open-play crosses – he’s first in the team. He was the outlet. He was fantastic. A right-footed player playing on the left. Everything positive, it came through his side.”
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