As per reports from Spain, Tottenham Hotspur, and by extension transfer chief Fabio Paratici, are now eyeing a move for West Ham United defender Ben Johnson.
The Lowdown: Conte eyeing full-back upgrade?
According to reliable sources, Lilywhites boss Antonio Conte, was eager for the club to sign a right wing-back upgrade in January who would be tailored for his back-three formation.
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Spurs attempted to sign a makeshift option in former Wolves star Adama Traore for most of the month but to no avail as Barcelona swooped in to hijack the winter move.
This has left Conte with Emerson Royal and Matt Doherty as his options on that side, and while the latter may have played his way into the Italian’s plans after a stunning performance against Leeds, doubts surround his team-mate.
Indeed, there are question marks hanging over Royal’s ability to create in the final third, with Paratici now eyeing an unlikely alternative from one of Spurs’ London rivals.
The Latest: Spurs eye Ben Johnson move…
According to Spanish sources, Tottenham are one of the clubs in a three-way battle to sign West Ham starlet Johnson in the summer, even after the Hammers apparently activated a two-year contract extension option.
Indeed, Paratici and co are allegedly targeting the homegrown ace to add both offensive and defensive quality for Conte’s side.
The Verdict: Great option…
The 22-year-old would come as a very good signing for Conte going by his early promise.
West Ham manager David Moyes recently called Johnson a ‘really important’ player for his team, while pundit Noel Whelan has recently raved over the ‘exciting’ and ‘very aggressive’ full-back (Football Insider).
However, after the Irons triggered the two-year extension option in his contract, and with a potential reluctance to do business with a positional and geographical rival in Spurs, this move could be a tricky one to pull off for Paratici.
In other news: ‘Worrying’…Insider shares what ‘in the know’ source is now ‘reporting’ at Tottenham, find out more here.