Risky Tottenham transfer gets greenlight, with expendable star serving as bait to bring cost way down

A Tottenham target’s club are ‘preparing to say goodbye’ to a midfielder known to be on Antonio Conte’s radar, though why a summer swoop is fraught with risk has been detailed.

Spurs’ season has been something of an enigma thus far. Large sections of the fanbase are unhappy with the style of play dished out by Antonio Conte, while the club developed a worrying habit of falling behind in games earlier in the campaign.

Conte has repeatedly voiced his concerns over his side’s inability to defend as they should. He took a particularly dim view of his squad when Tottenham conceded four times in a single half against Man City on January 19. That represented the first time that had ever happened for a Conte-managed side.

However, a 2-0 victory over bitter rivals Chelsea on Sunday saw Spurs open up a four-point gap to fifth-placed Newcastle. They’ll fancy their chances of overturning a one-goal deficit in the Champions League Round of 16 against AC Milan, while they’re still hunting silverware in the FA Cup.

Whether Conte pens fresh terms between now and the end of the season will have a huge bearing on the club’s summer transfer plans. Conte is out of contract at season’s end.

If the Italian does extend his stay, one potential midfield transfer involves the signing of Croatia international, Marcelo Brozovic.

The 30-year-old is known to Conte through his time at Inter Milan and both InterLive.it and il Gazzetta dello Sport have talked up a Spurs swoop.

Now, Correire dello Sport (via Calciomercato) have added their take to the developing story.

Inter preparing to sell, but should Tottenham worry?

It’s claimed Inter are gearing up to sell Brozovic, with the report noting the Nerazzuri are ‘preparing to say goodbye’ after seven seasons at the San Siro.

Interlive.it previously claimed two avenues are open to Tottenham – either a €25m bid or a €10m offering that includes centre-half Japhet Tanganga as a makeweight.

The fresh report from Calcio states Inter are beginning to think about a Brozovic exit if around €30m is bid.

Chelsea, Real Madrid and Barcelona are all namechecked as being potential suitors if Brozovic does depart. However, Spurs are the side who stand the best chance of securing the move given the Conte connection.

The Croatian’s arrival would add another battle-hardened option to Conte’s engine room. He’d also ensure Spurs can take their time with Rodrigo Bentancur next season who recently underwent surgery to repair an ACL injury.

However, Calcio’s article sounds a poignant warning that makes any Tottenham move a risky one.

The primary reason Inter appear to be warming to a sale stems from Brozovic’s loss of form this season.

Indeed, the report states Brozovic is ”not having his best season’ and is ‘perhaps reaching the lowest point of his adventure’ with Inter.

Players lose and regain form on the regular, though eyebrows are raised when it happens to a player the wrong side of 30.

As such, if Tottenham do act on their interest, they must carefully consider whether Brozovic’s poor season is just a blip or whether he’s on an irreversible decline.

A club like Tottenham cannot afford to waste €25m-€30m in a window where multiple high profile additions at centre-back are far more important.

READ MORE: Tottenham rocked as Newcastle ready to hijack £25m midfielder signing also wanted by West Ham, Crystal Palace