Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham Hotspur

Premier League • England

Tottenham swoop for Chelsea playmaker back on as Fabrizio Romano drops big hint over transfer

Hakim Ziyech celebrates scoring their side's first goal of the game with team-mate Christian Pulisic before it is ruled out by VAR during the Premier League match at Selhurst Park, London

Tottenham have been tipped to renew their interest in a Chelsea star, as Antonio Conte looks to bolster his squad in the January transfer window.

The new year could be a busy time for Spurs, as Conte pushes to upgrade several positions in his team including bringing in another centre-back, a new right wing-back and a creative midfielder.

Josko Gvardiol and Alessandro Bastoni remain the top defensive targets. However, landing either of those is likely to be a struggle in January.

In terms of the wing-back position, Inter Milan’s Denzel Dumfries is top of Conte’s list for that role. At around £26million the Netherlands international could be a real snip too.

Landing a playmaker is also on the agenda, although there is always the caveat of where a No.10 fits into Conte’s system.

The likes of James Maddison and more recently Ajax star Mohammed Kudus have both been linked with moves.

However, a move for Chelsea attacker Hakim Ziyech is back on the agenda, according to reports on Thursday.

Tottenham realistically have five names competing for three places in attack, although injuries have hit Son Heung-min, Lucas Moura, Richarlison and Dejan Kulusevski already this season.

Ziyech provides different options for Conte

Adding Ziyech to that mix would certainly provide cover across the front line, while the Moroccan can also play as an attacking midfielder.

The 29-year-old, who is also being linked with Manchester United, is enjoying a strong showing at the World Cup, where the African nation will face Portugal in the last eight.

A potential semi-final with England is also on the cards, if the Three Lions get past France.

But domestically, Ziyech could well be on the move in January, with the Blues willing to let him leave.

Gazzetta Dello Sport recently suggested that the forward is willing to take a pay cut to quit the Blues.

Back in July, when Spurs were showing an interest, the Daily Mail reported that Chelsea were willing to sell him for around £8.5million.

Journalist Toni Juanmarti actually suggested that Tottenham got close to agreeing personal terms with Ziyech.

Romano tips Ziyech for imminent Chelsea exit

And now transfer insider Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Ziyech is eager to ‘try something different’ next year.

“He’s not so young. But he was needing that kind of performance as he had with Morocco in the World Cup,” Romano told his YouTube channel.

“This player is great and he needs to play. This is the point – in the summer he had a chance with AC Milan, then with Ajax.

“Chelsea only wanted the permanent transfer not a loan. But I think that in 2023, January or summer, he will have a serious chance to leave Chelsea and have a new opportunity.

“So Hakim Ziyech could be one to watch on the market already in January. If not January, in the summer, because he wants to try something different.

“And when he plays on a consistent base he’s showing how good he is as always.”

Conte has already shown that he has a knack of reinvigorating fringe players at other clubs.

Kulusevski is a perfect example of that. The Swede could hardly get a game at Juventus but has turned into a world-beater in north London.

READ MORE: Tottenham move for realistic January target back on, though missing ingredient might concern Conte