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Who could Antonio Conte sign for Tottenham in January?

Tottenham approach Antonio Conte as search for manager goes on

A look at a number of players who may well be targets for Spurs boss Antonio Conte in January and one player who is very unlikely to join up with the Italian.

One month into the job and Antonio Conte already has his feet under the table at Spurs. The north London club are starting to rise up the Premier League table, and the woeful Nuno Espírito Santo days are already well behind them.

New Spurs managing director Fabio Paratici is now in place and has given his approval to the biggest January transfer window in the club’s history, according to a report.

The pair worked successfully together in Turin helping Juventus to three Serie A titles, and are now drawing up a target list for January.

But who could Spurs sign? Planet Sport takes a look at possible names and one particular reunion from his days at Chelsea.

Donny van de Beek (Man Utd)

It's no secret that Donny Van de Beek is on the lookout for a new club in January.

Having made only a handful Premier League starts since arriving from Ajax in the summer of 2020, the Dutch star wants some game time.

Man Utd

The 24-year-old has reportedly switched agents and has now signed up with Ali Dursun, who also looks after Victor Lindelof, as well as Frenkie de Jong.

Whether the arrival of Ralf Rangnick will have changed the Dutchman's mind is another curve ball, but he's looks to be on the brink of a move in January.

The bookies have Spurs as 16/1 shots to land Van de Beek; Juventus are favourites at 5/1.

Stefan de Vrij (Inter Milan)

Inter's Netherlands international Stefan de Vrij has been heavily tipped to follow Conte to England.

De Vrij played 32 times at centre-back last season and helped Conte's Inter claim the Scudetto.
De Vrij is trusted by Conte and Inter Live suggest the 29-year-old is "ideal for guiding the transition from a four-man defence to a three-man defence".

The latest reports suggest Spurs will have to part with £40m to land the former Lazio man, but Conte may well have made a deal for De Vrij part of his arrival conditions.

Mauro Icardi (PSG)

Mauro Icardi's home life at the moment looks anything but settled.

His relationship with wife Wanda Nara is on the rocks after she claimed to have signed divorce papers.

The Argentine striker was excused from training and reportedly flew to Milan to repair his marriage. And, after deleting his Instagram account, it's unclear exactly what situation the former Inter Milan striker finds himself in.

Could he be ripe for a January move? It's a possibility.
Icardi and Conte did cross paths at Inter, but the forward never played for the Italian and left for Paris just a few months after Conte arrived at the San Siro.
Conte was keen on offloading Icardi and the striker sued the club over his treatment.
"He's suffering from a psychological point of view. It is not normal to suffer discrimination like this: the armband, his absence from the squad photos, the number [being given to Lukaku], missing training," said his lawyer in September 2019.
With that in mind the 7/1 about being reunited with Conte looks one to avoid. Juve are priced 5/1, while Newcastle at 9/1 look far better bets.

Ivan Toney (Brentford)

Ivan Toney, Brentford, Crystal Palace, Premier League, Fantasy Football

Not exactly what Brentford fans wanted to hear from their main man Ivan Toney.

"I support Liverpool," said Toney. "If they come knocking who knows? Who knows."

Asked about a potential transfer to Liverpool or Leeds, the former Peterborough striker firmly nailed his colours to the mast.

But at 16/1 a move to Anfield looks a long shot, especially when you consider Jurgen Klopp's style of play.

Spurs are also quoted at 16/1 to land Toney, who has stepped up with ease to play at the top level. Whether or not Conte would be interested is unclear. Would he see Toney as a foil or long-term replacement for Kane?

Raheem Sterling (Man City)

Only last month Raheem Sterling said he would consider leaving Manchester City to get regular game time.

After starring for England at Euro 2020 and seeing Sergio Aguero depart, Sterling has struggled to hold down a regular starting berth under Pep Guardiola.

In fact he has made just three Premier League starts this season and that fact no doubt prompted his declaration about leaving the champions.
Speaking at the FT Business of Sport US summit last month, Sterling said: "If there was an opportunity to go somewhere else, (for more game time), I would be open to it at this moment in time.
"As I said, football is the most important thing to me - challenges that I have set myself from a young age and dreams as well, to play abroad."
The final word in that above statement could well be the key though with Sterling keen to test himself in Europe.

So a move to Barcelona at 8/1 is the favourite transfer for the 26-year-old, while PSG are quoted at 10/1.

After scoring 30 goals in the 2019-20 campaign and 14 last season, Conte would surely be open to a deal. But at odds of 16/1 for a move to Spurs, the big European sides have more appeal.

Nicolo Barella (Inter Milan)

Inter are trying to tie Italy midfielder Nicolo Barella down to a new long-term contract after his heroics for the Azzurri at Euro 2020.
So far though they have been unsuccessful and with the player's contract expiring in 2024, there are a number of interested spectators.
Spurs will come into that bracket after Conte signed Barella from Cagliari while in charge of Inter.
The Italian coach is a big admirer of the 24-year-old. And FcInterNews (via Sport Witness) claim he is 'thinking about Inter star Nicolo Barella'.

Marcos Alonso (Chelsea)

The Spanish wing-back was a crucial member of Chelsea's 2016-17 title winning side under Conte.

He made 30 starts and scored six times operating at left wing-back. But after starting the season in favour under Thomas Tuchel, the 30-year-old was benched until Ben Chilwell was ruled out of action for lengthy spell.

Alonso's contract is also up in 2023 and he may well be looking for some long-term security.

Read more: Betting preview: Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid - Spaniards can make their mark at Anfield

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