Tottenham Hotspur
Premier League • England
Tottenham transfers: First summer signing imminent as Levy pounces on opening to ruin rival suitors’ plan
Tottenham are closing in on their first signing of the summer window with Daniel Levy reportedly deciding to push through talks over a near £13m move.
The north London side are nursing their wounds after suffering a painful 3-2 defeat to Bournemouth on Saturday. That leaves Spurs’ top-four hopes fading, though a rare defeat for fellow contenders Newcastle means the loss was not catastrophic.
All the same, the club will be hoping to get back on track when they face the Geordies in what could prove a decisive match on Sunday.
A win will see Spurs move level on points with Newcastle, though the Magpies do boast a superior goal difference.
The run-in for Spurs, though, is proving especially hard when the club are without a permanent manager. And with Cristian Stellini only in charge on an interim basis, the club is actively seeking a permanent replacement for Antonio Conte.
That new favourite reportedly comes from Spain with Levy seemingly ready to establish contact later this week.
Regardless of whom the new manager is, Levy wants to furnish the next boss with the strongest squad possible.
And while many transfer decisions will be left for the new man to decide himself, Levy is ready to take matters over another deal into his own hands himself.
Per recent reports, Levy is keen to trigger a permanent deal for Clement Lenglet.
The defender has been on loan at Tottenham for the season and has made 30 appearances to date. And having seemingly grown in importance over the campaign, Levy now looks keen to make a move permanent.
READ MORE: First summer signing ‘advancing’ for Tottenham as Levy triggers €14m option for Conte driven target
Tottenham move for Lenglet ruins Inter Milan plan
The French defender’s initial move last summer did not contain an option to make the move permanent.
However, recognising his importance to the side, together with Barcelona’s wish to sell, Levy has moved with to open talks on a deal.
And according to Sport, a deal in the region of £13m is close to being struck.
The news comes after Inter Milan sporting director Piero Ausilio met with Barca officials to discuss would-be targets. And with Inter making clear they are in the market for two new defenders, three names were up for debate.
And while Barcelona have made it clear that Eric Garcia and Samuel Umtiti are up for grabs, it was Lenglet for whom they asked about.
However, Inter have learned that Barcelona are ‘already negotiating’ Lenglet’s sale to Tottenham. And the report claims that Inter’s chances are ‘complicated’ by the fact a move to Spurs is already ‘on the right track’.
Barcelona value Lenglet at somewhere between €12m – €15m – a price Spurs are happy to meet.
Inter Milan could be in for unwanted Spurs star
And with Lenglet also settled in north London, it seems Inter Milan will be forced to look elsewhere.
His permanent move to the club could open the door for Inter to sign struggling Spurs star Davinson Sanchez.
The Colombian was booed upon his substitution during Saturday’s loss. And his days in the Premier League look numbered with the club seemingly open to his sale.
Inter have been linked for Sanchez in the past and could now make a renewed bid to sign him.
He is not the only Spurs star they are chasing either. That’s after reports suggested a move for a veteran performer is also on the cards.