TOTTENHAM are plotting to snatch Serbian sensation Dusan Vlahovic from under the noses of rivals Manchester City and Arsenal.
New Spurs boss Antonio Conte wants another striker in January to take the weight off Harry Kane.
The ambitious Italian only took charge of the North Londoners at the beginning of this month.
But he has already made it clear to chairman Daniel Levy and managing director of football Fabio Paratici that he needs more options in attack.
Vlahovic is top of Conte’s shopping list after bagging 21 goals for Fiorentina in Serie A last season.
The frontman, 21, has netted eight goals in 12 league games this term and Italian giants Juventus are also keen.
He was already on Paratici’s radar when the Italian joined Spurs as their new recruitment guru last summer.
With Vlahovic’s contract due to expire in 2023, Fiorentina are said to be willing to cash in on their £65million-rated marksman.
But Tottenham are facing stiff competition from the Gunners, City and Juve — although reports in Italy claim the player’s agent is refusing to take Arsenal’s calls amid speculation he has agreed terms with another club.
If that club is Juventus, it could be a double disaster for Conte — as the Old Lady has been offering another Spurs target, winger Dejan Kulusevski, as a makeweight in the deal.
Paratici was the man who signed the Swedish wideman, 21, for the Turin giants back in January 2020.
Tottenham are also keeping tabs on Club Brugge’s 20-year-old attacking midfielder Charles De Ketelaere ahead of the January transfer window.
Although the Belgian is said to prefer a switch to Prem champs City.
But despite calling for reinforcements in January, Conte is refusing to give up on the club’s forgotten stars.
He has told outcasts Dele Alli and Harry Winks — tipped to leave after being frozen out by former bosses Nuno Espirito Santo and Jose Mourinho — they still have futures at the club.
And they have responded well to being drilled hard by Conte during the international break.
The England pair are among ten senior stars who were put through their paces by the Italian and his coaching staff this week, while their pals were away with their countries.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
