Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham Hotspur

Premier League • England

Angry Antonio Conte plans to wreck Arsenal transfer plan with £32m swoop for Brazilian

Douglas Luiz in action for Brazil during Olympic Games clash v Germany at Stadium Yokohama

Frustrated Tottenham boss Antonio Conte is reportedly setting his sights on a move to sign Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz  – and beat Arsenal to the Brazilian’s signature.

Spurs’ transfer window has been somewhat of a shambles so far after Adama Traore and Luis Diaz rejected moves to the club. Wolves winger Traore is expected to return to Barcelona, despite Spurs’ heavy interest in the speed merchant. But Conte’s desire to play the attacker at wing-back reportedly saw Traore look to LaLiga.

Daniel Levy was also leading the hunt for Porto attacker Luis Diaz before Liverpool arrived on the scene. The Reds moved quickly after releasing that Spurs and Man Utd had designs on the 25-year-old.

Liverpool have reportedly agreed a deal which will see them pay an initial £37.5m to Porto for Diaz, with a maximum of £16.5m in add-ons.

And the bad news keeps on coming for Conte, with another fresh rejection from Franck Kessie slapping him in the face.

However, the Daily Mail claims there could be some relief just around the corner in the form of Luiz.

The Villa midfielder has just 18 months left on his deal and talks over an extension have so far failed to bear fruit.

Villa boss Steven Gerrard would be loathe to lose the midfielder, who has performed really well since he took charge.

However, the chance to cash in for £32m looks far too good an offer for Villa to refuse. And the bidding war that is set to ensue between Arsenal and Spurs for his services pushing his value higher.

And the Mail claims Villa will use the cash to push forward with their plans to sign Rodrigo Bentancur. Their opening offer, totally £20.6m, has been rejected by Juventus, with Gerrard ready to try again for the Uruguayan.

Tottenham have had a bid for Lewes winger Ollie Tanner, 19, accepted. They also remain hopeful of signing Sofyan Amrabat from Fiorentina.

Douglas Luiz to Spurs would anger Arteta

However, the capture of Luiz would be something of a statement signing for the Spurs chief.

He has been looking to add more muscle to his midfield and for a partner for Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.

And a move to Spurs would not only end his chase, but also deal another huge transfer blow to Arsenal.

The Gunners have missed out on No 1 target Dusan Vlahovic, who has signed for Juventus.

Tanguy Ndombele set for PSG loan as Spurs deal can’t be done

Tanguy Ndombele set for PSG loan as Spurs deal can’t be done

Tanguy Ndombele is set for a 6 month loan to PSG who want the France midfielder

Furthermore, midfielder target Bruno Guimaraes is also closing on a switch to Newcastle.

Efforts to sign Arthur Melo from Juve have so far failed, so a move for Luiz was their likely next port of call.

But Spurs beating them to Douglas Luiz would deal another blow to Mikel Arteta and complete a highly frustrating window for the Gunners.

Alvaro Morata deal to ease Conte’s pain

Reports on Friday, meanwhile, claim Conte has gone into ‘full panic mode’ over his transfer frustrations.

As such, he is reportedly looking to raid Juventus for both Bentancur and Dejan Kulusevski.

However, it seems a third signing from Juventus is also being targeted in the form of Morata.

As per The Times, the former Chelsea striker is reportedly on offer to a number of clubs this month.

With Juve signing Dusan Vlahovic, Morata is surplus to requirements at the Bianconeri.

As such, Newcastle, Arsenal and Tottenham are all being given the chance to sign him.

Of the trio, it seems Spurs look the most likely.

Conte was the man who brought Morata to Chelsea back in 2017 – and reports in Spain claim a reunion is on the cards.

Spurs would only see Morata as back-up to Harry Kane, though, and only fancy an initial loan deal.

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