Tottenham Hotspur will look to bolster their squad and build around new boss Antonio Conte’s vision in the summer transfer window as they look to build on their possible top-four finish this season, with their latest links connecting them with Czech Republic international Antonin Barak.
Spurs started their Conte rebuild in the January transfer window by signing Juventus duo Rodrigo Bentancur and Dejan Kulusevski with both of them making big impacts in the side already as they fight with bitter rivals Arsenal for the last Champions League spot.
The Italian manager has stated he is looking for at least six new players to come in during the summer in order to move the squad forward and their latest link with Barak could be the kind of signing that takes them to the next level under the serial winning manager.
It is rumoured he could be good for a cheaper deal this summer so, in addition to this, we have looked at a couple of other reasons why they should move for the Hellas Verona man.
Another Serie A gem
Probably the most important reason for the Lilywhites to sign the 27-year-old is simply down to the fact that Conte has expressed his desire to sign him and using his transfer expertise that has seen the success of Bentancur and Kulusevski already would be a great idea for the Spurs brass.
Kulusevski and Bentancur may not have been at Spurs for too long but they’ve already established themselves as regulars. Indeed, the former has been simply sensational, having scored an impressive three goals and has assisted eight in just 16 games (Transfermarkt). He is also the fourth highest rated player this season for Spurs and is ahead of Harry Kane for key passes in the Premier League (SofaScore).
Bentancur finds himself as the fifth highest rated player at the club this season, as well as being in the top five for tackles, interceptions and blocks per game (SofaScore), so the impact is already evident.
As reported by Corriere di Verona (via Sportwitness), Conte is believed to have backed the signing of Barak, calling on them ‘to buy the Czech jewel’ and that the offer ‘will not be less than 25 million euros’.
According to the same report, Hellas Verona look set to let the midfielder go in the summer and is hopeful Spurs’ interest will spark an auction that will hopefully exceed the 25 million euro asking price, which could happen if someone was to challenge Spurs and as long as the North London outfit are willing to back their manager with a ‘tailor-made’ player.
Lo Celso replacement
Signing Barak will also give Conte and Spurs the chance to bolster their midfield options. Indeed, one man who could be heading out the exit door is Giovanni Lo Celso, who has been on loan at Villarreal in the current campaign.
It has now been reported that Antonio Conte is ready to sell the midfielder.
This now opens the door for a creative midfielder like Barak to come in and fill the potential void for the Argentine. And, it’s safe to say that his stats from this season suggest he’d do a great job at just that if Conte can get as much tune out of him as he has with the other couple of Serie A additions.
The midfielder has managed to score 11 and assist 8 goals in the Serie A this season, as well as 1.8 shots per game, 51 touches per game and an incredible 22% goal conversion rate (SofaScore), so you can see just how dangerous he can be in the final third. His link up play is also a strength of his which is evident from his three big chances created, one key pass per game and an 81% passing accuracy per game.