Conte’s in Toon fight for Botman
TOTTENHAM are desperate to beat Newcastle to the signature of Lille defender Sven Botman – in order to satisfy Antonio Conte.
The Italian coach is still to be convinced that the club’s hierarchy will back him, as promised, in the transfer market – after a mixed January window.
And that makes the North Londoners’ pursuit of a left-footed, left-sided centre-half – as Conte is demanding they get him – an absolute priority this summer.
Dutchman Botman, 22, fits the criteria perfectly – and the Tottenham boss has already given his seal of approval to targeting him.
This is cranking up the pressure on his chairman Daniel Levy to strike a £30million deal with the French club before Newcastle do.
Most assume the Geordies, who narrowly failed to bring Botman to St James’ Park last month, are favourites to succeed next time round – as long as they can stay in the Premier League.
Spurs, though, are in no mood to step aside as they fight to persuade Conte they do mean business when it comes to being an authentic top-four contender.
The ex-Chelsea manager’s constant conflicting messages about the state of the Spurs squad is causing huge concern within the boardroom that they may lose one of the game’s elite coaches.
That is why they are now stepping up their efforts to persuade Botman that N17 rather than the North East is where he should be heading in the close season.
Champions League qualification could be the key to Tottenham winning the battle, as Newcastle’s loaded Saudi Arabian owners can top whatever financial package is on the Tottenham table.