Soccer Football - Champions League - Group D - Real Madrid v Inter Milan - Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain - December 7, 2021 Real Madrid's Luka Jovic in action with Inter Milan's Milan Skriniar REUTERS/Juan Medina
According to Spanish sources, Tottenham Hotspur have entered the mix for Real Madrid striker Luka Jovic as transfer chief Fabio Paratici casts one eye on the summer market.
The Lowdown: Conte rejuvenates Spurs…
Spearheaded by manager Antonio Conte, Tottenham have undergone a real resurgence after a lacklustre start to 2021/22.
Since that 3-0 loss at home to Manchester United in late October, which resulted in the sacking of Nuno Espirito Santo, the Lilywhites have clawed their way into top four contention whilst playing some scintillating football.
Conte’s impact at the club has seemingly transformed the mood both inside and outside N17, especially since mid-February, with Tottenham winning a brilliant six out of their last seven Premier League games (Transfermarkt).
However, if chairman Daniel Levy and co wish to keep their hit of a head coach, they may need to back him in the summer market and allow Conte to reinvent the Spurs squad in his own image.
Bearing this in mind, transfer chief Paratici must have one eye on the next transfer window, with news now emerging on a striker target.
The Latest: Tottenham to ‘fight’ for Jovic…
According to Spanish claims, Tottenham are one of the clubs who are set to ‘fight’ for Galacticos outcast Jovic, with his ‘possible departure’ alerting Conte’s side.
The Serbia international is said to be ‘tired’ of life in Madrid and the feeling is mutual on his club’s side as they are ‘looking for the Balkan striker’s exit’.
As a result, according to the report, ‘all roads reach an imminent agreement’ with any interested suitor who can take Jovic off Madrid’s hands – including Tottenham.
The Verdict: Make a move?
As Real Madrid president Florentino Perez seems desperate to sell, with the forward himself also eager to depart, negotiations could move quickly in the summer – but does that mean Spurs should seal his move?
According to a report by AS (via TEAMtalk), the European giants will command a €30m (£25m) transfer fee to let him go, which is arguably in Tottenham’s range if they wish to bolster Conte’s forward options.
Jovic has also been praised by none other than Lionel Messi, who called the 24-year-old ‘magical‘, and his 2018/19 performances for his former club Eintracht Frankfurt point to a very capable forward when he’s on form.
He bagged a brilliant 17 goals and five assists over 25 Bundesliga starts in that campaign, with Spurs’ interest arguably justified as a result.
As a backup to star striker Harry Kane, Conte and co could do far worse than Jovic, who is still only 24 years old with many seasons still ahead of him.
In other news: Conte unhappy with ‘perfect’ Tottenham player behind-the-scenes, he’s now set to leave…find out more here
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