Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham Hotspur

Premier League • England

Levy sanctions double £108m Tottenham raid to transform key area with Conte signing to be sent packing

Daniel Levy, Tottenham chairman

Daniel Levy, Tottenham chairman

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy is reportedly ready to sanction two summer signings before knowing the identity of his next manager amid claims he believes the pair will provide an instant solution for a problem area for the side.

Managerless Spurs will likely see out the season with Cristian Stellini in caretaker charge. He has been handed the reins until the summer after the early departure of Antonio Conte. And Stellini’s job is a simple one: lead Tottenham to a top-four finish.

However, despite reigniting their push with a controversial 2-1 win over Brighton on Saturday, Spurs can ill afford few mistakes. And with Manchester United and Newcastle both ahead of them in the race for fourth, Tottenham will need to raise their game if they are to overhaul either.

Regardless of where they finish this season, Levy is well aware of an issue that needs addressing at Tottenham. And the lack of creativity coming from their midfield is something the Tottenham supremo is keen to correct.

Indeed, that was a problem that persistently proved difficult for Conte to solve. To that end, Conte’s favoured 3-4-3 formation  – or a variation of it – relied heavily on a central two-man midfield axis performing at its best.

And while Rodrigo Bentancur – prior to his injury – and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg have both enjoyed solid seasons, neither are considered midfield creators.

Now it seems Levy is putting plans in place to sign two players in a double deal that will likely set them back a whopping £108m.

And it seems the arrival of the two men will place in doubt the future of a big-money signing brought to Spurs by Conte last summer.

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Tottenham want James Maddison at all costs

Top of Tottenham’s summer wishlist is Leicester star James Maddison.

Despite the Foxes’ struggles to avoid relegation this season, Maddison is enjoying an excellent season on a personal level. Indeed, having won his second England cap, the  26-year-old also boasts an impressive nine goals and six assists from 25 appearances.

That form has only served to strengthen a number of clubs’ desires to add Maddison to their mix next season.

His deal with Leicester is due to expire in summer 2024 and an exit this summer appears inevitable. As a result, Newcastle are among his suitors with Eddie Howe’s side seen as genuine contenders for his signing.

However, Football Insider reckons the chase is being led by Tottenham, for whom Levy is desperate sign.

The Foxes reportedly value Maddison at around £50m, though a potential auction could see his price reach £55m this summer.

Indeed, Tottenham are willing to push through his signing as soon as possible, per the report. And Levy will not even wait for a new manager’s approval to get the deal for the Leicester star.

With a huge 90-goal involvements in 196 appearances for Leicester, Spurs will be landing a high-quality star.

Levy willing to push through deal for Manuel Ugarte

In addition, reports from Portugal claim Tottenham are ready to push through with a move to sign Manuel Ugarte.

The Sporting Lisbon star is emerging as one of the Primeira Liga’s outstanding talents this season. Seen by some as a better defensive midfielder than Enzo Fernandez – for whom Chelsea pair a British record £105.7m for in January – a clause in the 21-year-old’s deal is seemingly tempting Spurs.

To that end, Portuguese newspaper Record claims Tottenham will push through the Uruguayan’s signing.

And with a £53.1m (€60m) clause in his deal, Sporting will be powerless to prevent a move going through.

The deal has reportedly been put in place by both Conte and managing director Fabio Paratici. However, Levy remains keen to get the deal done and bring in a player that’ll help transform their midfield.

Indeed, with Maddison operating in a free role, the capture of Ugarte can be key to getting the best out the side.

And regardless of whatever formation a new manager decides to play, three central midfield options of Ugarte, Bentacur and Hojbjerg can give Spurs plenty of options.

However, the arrival of the Uruguyan will likely spell curtains for Yves Bissouma. The Mali star arrived in what looked a shrewd £25m deal from Brighton last summer.

The 26-year-old African, though, has failed to adapt with Conte regularly calling him out over his form.

Now it seems he could be allowed to move on this summer with Tottenham looking to get their money back.

Bissouma has made just eight starts in the Premier League and just 10 altogether.

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