ANTONIO CONTE will reportedly only join Tottenham if Harry Kane stays at the club, reports say.
The Italian boss, 51, is in talks to take over in North London after leaving Inter Milan.
And The Times report that retaining Kane’s services could be key to Spurs’ hopes of landing Conte.
Kane, 27, is wanted by both Manchester clubs and Chelsea after revealing he wants to leave Spurs to win trophies.
Ex-Chelsea boss Conte quit Inter Milan days after guiding them to Serie A glory.
Spurs also lined up an amazing return for PSG boss Mauricio Pochettino, but the French club are adamant he’s not leaving.
That left Daniel Levy looking at other options and Conte, who won the Premier League and FA Cup at Stamford Bridge, fits the bill.
The Times report adds that Conte will want to be backed with funds in the transfer market if he’s to move to North London.
Meanwhile, respected Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano says Tottenham and Conte are around £2.6million apart in salary expectations.
Speaking in a YouTube interview, Romano said: “I heard that yesterday in the negotiations, there was a difference of around three million Euros (£2.6m) of what Antonio Conte asked for and what Tottenham are offering.
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“Antonio Conte’s salary at Inter last season was around 13 million Euros (£11.2m).”
Romano added: “The biggest problem Antonio Conte had at Inter last season was the ownership.
“The owners were never in the city and the president came only in the last week to celebrate the Serie A title win.
“He wants an owner who is always in the club talking with him and the players.
“So it’s not a problem with Daniel Levy, it’s just to understand now during negotiations about projects, progress and transfers rather than during the season.
“Having Daniel Levy always around the club can only be a positive thing for Antonio Conte.”
Romano also said getting Fabio Paratici on board as director of football could be key for Tottenham.
Paratici, 48, left Juventus this summer having played a key role in their nine straight Serie A title wins.
Conte worked with Paratici when he managed Juventus for three years – winning the league title in 2012, 2013 and 2014.
Romano said: “They have a strong relationship and they are so similar as people, not just in football.
“They have a big winning mentality and love to work together.
“At Juventus they were incredible and that’s why they want to work together again.
“For Antonio Conte it is so important to have someone on the board he trusts because what happened with Chelsea was a shock.
“He started with a fantastic season but immediately after he had some problems with the board, he wasn’t convinced about the transfer market and the policy of the club in transfers and that’s why he decided to leave the club.
“With people like Fabio Paratici on board, maybe Antonio Conte would be 100 per cent convinced on Tottenham.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
