Tottenham are considering hijacking the Marseille move for Atalanta midfielder Ruslan Malinovskyi, according to reports.
Spurs (opens in a new tab) they have tended to leave their transfer business until the end of the window during Daniel Levy’s presidency, but that has not been the case this summer.
Antonio Conte’s side secured the signings of Richarlison, Clement Lenglet, Yves Bissouma, Ivan Perisic, Djed Spence and Fraser Forster before the Premier League season began earlier this month.
But that doesn’t mean the Spurs won’t be back on the market before it closes on Sept. 1.
Malinovskyi is a player who has caught the attention of Conte and Fabio Paratici, Tottenham’s general manager.
Malinovskyi appeared to be on his way to Marseille after a successful three-year spell with Atalanta in Serie A.
But according to the French publication Foot Mercato (opens in a new tab)Tottenham could be about to step in and hijack the deal.
Spurs are considering offering Sergio Reguilon to Atalanta in a bid to sweeten the deal and reduce the fee they would have to pay for the attacker.
Corriere dello Sport (opens in a new tab) reports that Conte sees the versatile Malinovskyi as a possible alternative to Dejan Kulusevski.
Spurs have been given a boost by reports that Malinovskyi has not been particularly convinced by his talks with Marseille.
The Ligue 1 side are willing to meet their salary demands, but the Ukrainian international does not have complete faith in his project.
That could give north Londoners the upper hand in the race to sign the 29-year-old, who looks set to leave Atalanta no matter what.
Conte’s side, which beat the Wolves (opens in a new tab) 1-0 at the weekend thanks to a Harry Kane header, he will return to Premier League action against Nottingham Forest (opens in a new tab) on Sunday.
Tottenham have collected seven points from a possible nine at the start of the campaign after a 4-1 thrashing of Southampton. (opens in a new tab) and draw 2-2 with Chelsea (opens in a new tab).
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Antonio Conte has spoken of his enthusiasm for the new season and has said that his new signings must earn their place in his team. Dejan Kulusevski has already looked at consistency this term, while his coach has called on Spurs to be “dreamers”.
Conte has also stated that his stars will not be distracted by the World Cup and admitted that his team is far from winning a title.
Meanwhile, Ivan Perisic has revealed the role a former Tottenham star played in convincing him to join.
