Tottenham Hotspur
Premier League • England
Tottenham transfer news: Conte not finished yet, with move for attacker who strikes fear into defenders reignited
Tottenham hope to provide Antonio Conte with a fearsome new attacker before the September 1 deadline, and why a reignited move for Wolves winger Adama Traore can finally succeed has been revealed.
Spurs targeted the Wolves speedster throughout the January window. Traore had 18 months remaining on his contract at the time and a modest valuation of around £20m was floated.
Antonio Conte held ambitions of converting Traore into a deadly wing-back. However, Tottenham and Wolves couldn’t reach a compromise on the fee, allowing Barcelona to swoop in with a loan-to-buy.
The Catalan giants did not take up the option this summer, however, ensuring Traore’s situation reverted back to square one.
The Daily Express report the 26-year-old Spain international has not had a change of heart regarding an extension at Molineux.
As such, he is now in the final year of his deal and Wolves are open to a cut-price sale. What’s more Bruno Lage has already signed a new winger in the form of Goncalo Guedes.
The signs are pointing to a Traore exit before the September 1 deadline, and the Express details why north London could be his next destination.
Conte, Paratici both keen
They state Spurs ‘remain interested’ in signing Traore this summer. Manager Conte is ‘keen’ to add another forward to his ranks for depth and Traore is viewed as both a ‘versatile’ and ‘cut-price’ option.
Spurs have already signed Djed Spence for the right wing-back role. That would suggest that if Traore does arrive, the wing-back plan may be abandoned.
Nonetheless, a fresh Traore with his obvious physical abilities would strike fear into the hearts of defenders coming off the bench late in games.
That is something that clearly appeals to the Spurs hierarchy. Technical director, Fabio Paratici, is deemed a ‘huge admirer’ of the powerful forward who is under ‘heavy consideration’.
There is no indication as to how much Traore would cost. However, common sense would dictate it’ll be some way below the £20m figure that was floated in January given his contract has eights months less remaining.
Traore a formidable option
Conte can already call upon Harry Kane, Son Heung-min, Dejan Kulusevski, Richarlison and Lucas Moura for his forward line.
However, Spurs have a Champions League campaign to juggle. That competition cannot be navigated by rotating your best players as the Europa League sometimes can.
As such, Conte’s front-line forwards will be tasked with playing twice a week most weeks. That means their depth from the bench will be more important than ever.
Traore – who scored a fantastic left-footed volley in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night – looks the perfect player in that regard.
He is borderline unplayable when in full flow given his sprinter’s speed and powerful physique. The sight of Traore bursting past a left-back and whipping a cross onto the head of Harry Kane does not sound so farfetched.