Antonio Conte ready to beat Juventus to signing of ‘very fast’ Tottenham defensive target

Tottenham reportedly have a “new name” on their January transfer radar after Antonio Conte took up the reigns at the club earlier in the week.

Conte, who employed a three-man defence, in his opening game against Vitesse is thought to be looking at defensive recruits. Fabio Paratici did his best this week to cool talk about new signings in January. The Spurs managing director of football denied that he and former Juventus colleague Conte had discussed new players.

“We haven’t spoken about players, we have to be focused on our team and then we will see. I think the team is competitive, we trust in the players. We have very good players so we don’t speak about (new) players now, it is not the right time. It is not the right time,” said Paratici.

Conte though looks certain to be handed funds to shape his side in January and, according to Calciomercato, Monaco defender Benoit Badiashile is a target for the Italian.

Juventus are also understood to be interest in the 20-year-old, who has come through ranks at the Stade Louis II.

Although he is a “new name” for Conte he was in fact linked with Spurs in 2019 .

Manchester United were also rumoured to be keen on the 6ft 4in defender in 2020. Foot Mercato (via Sport Witness) claimed Badiashile was a strong contender to solve Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s defensive problems.

United have since landed Raphael Varane. But Spurs are still keen on the player, who has made 16 appearances this season.

The Limoges-born centre-back is under contract until 2024 and is thought very highly of in the principality.

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‘Very good technically’

“He is a great talent,” Monaco vice-president Oleg Petrov told Get French Football News last year.

“He will perform and then maybe one day he can have by far a better career in one of the best clubs.

“Very solid, very young, playing from 18-years for the first-team at Monaco, also playing in the Espoirs team for France.

“Very good technically, very humble, very fast, gives a lot of comforts when he plays, but still very young.

“For a player of his age, playing all the games as a starter. It is a huge opportunity for him to develop into a player of the highest calibre.”

READ MORE: Conte ‘held off’ on Tottenham job after noticing major advantage of Man Utd squad