Tottenham reportedly have alternative targets to fall back on, with Adama Traore on the verge of completing a move to Barcelona. Fans have been left concerned at the sight of esteemed boss Antonio Conte not being given new faces to work with this month despite squad concerns as the Italian battles to finish in the Premier League top four.
Conte's appointment was seen as a huge coup in north London, with the 52-year-old fresh from a hugely successful stint with Inter Milan.
After first rejecting the job during the summer, it was believed that Spurs had rectified the situation with the promise of funds to spend in the transfer market.
Now almost 90% of the way through the January window, no significant arrivals have been registered at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and even the deadwood has proven difficult to shift.
Adama Traore was supposedly fancied by Conte to revitalise Spurs' wing-back options, although Wolves reportedly stood firm on their £25million valuation.
Adama Traore looks set to sign for Barcelona despite weeks of Tottenham interest (Image: GETTY)
According to Fabrizio Romano, the Spaniard is now on the verge of sealing a loan move to Barcelona, with an option to buy which could even exceed Wolves' valuation at the end of the campaign.
With time running out, Conte and sporting director Fabio Paratici must waste no time in turning to Plan B.
The Athletic claim that they do have alternative targets at right wing-back, but Matt Doherty must first be moved on to make room.
Shifting the likes of Tanguy Ndombele and Dele Alli has proven tricky this month, and in light of Doherty's poor form since his 2020 switch, there may not be many takers for the Irishman either.
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A worthy back-up plan for Spurs is reported to be a deal for Middlesbrough's Djed Spence.
The 21-year-old, currently dazzling on loan at Nottingham Forest, is valued at around £15m and would not be able to join up with his new teammates until his loan spell concludes at the end of the season.
In one way, that could leave Spurs fans disappointed given that they could not revamp their right side straight away, but it could also give them more time to find a new home for Doherty.
Colombian winger Luis Diaz is also rumoured to be in Tottenham's crosshairs, with a £38m bid already turned down by Porto this week.
Djed Spence is enjoying a superb loan spell with Nottingham Forest (Image: GETTY)
The north London side could yet come back for another bite at the cherry, but having netted an impressive 14 goals in 18 games this season, it seems likely that Conte would deploy Diaz in a more attacking role.
Latest reports suggest Tottenham are 'optimistic' about completing a deal for Diaz.
Former Leeds United frontman Noel Whelan, meanwhile, has urged Conte and Paratici to swoop for Brighton's Tariq Lamptey, who is valued at around £50m.
"I think Lamptey would definitely make more sense than Traore, that’s for sure," he told Football Insider.
"Defending isn’t exactly Traore’s strong suit, especially one-on-one defending. Yes, he’s got power. Yes, he’s got pace. But defending is an art and something which takes time to perfect."