Another brutal rejection for Antonio Conte as third signing is missed – but striker transfer may ease pain
Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly considering the signing of Alvaro Morata this month, after manager Antonio Conte received his third devastating rejection of the January transfer window.
Spurs’ transfer window has been somewhat of a shambles so far after Adama Traore and Luis Diaz rejected moves to the club. Wolves winger Traore is expected to return to Barcelona, despite Spurs’ heavy interest in the speed merchant. But Antonio Conte’s desire to play the attacker at wing-back reportedly saw Traore look to LaLiga.
Daniel Levy was also leading the hunt for Porto attacker Luis Diaz before Liverpool arrived on the scene. The Reds moved quickly after releasing that Spurs and Man Utd had designs on the 25-year-old.
Liverpool have reportedly agreed a deal which will see them pay an initial £37.5m to Porto for Diaz, with a maximum of £16.5m in add-ons.
And the bad news keeps on coming for Conte, with another fresh rejection from Franck Kessie slapping him in the face.
Having had an offer accepted to sign the player from AC Milan earlier this month, Kessie rejected the move. At the time it was explained that he wanted to see out the season with Milan, who are chasing the title, rather than jump ship mid-season.
Now though, according to Gazzetta dello Sport, Spurs have since tried again for Kessie. As cited by The Sun, Spurs held a round of talks with Kessie designed to lure him to Tottenham as a free agent this summer.
Kessie spurns Spurs – again
However, the meeting was reportedly ‘not positive’ with Kessie spuring their advances.
Indeed, they claim Kessie informed them his intentions are to stay in Italy upon leaving Milan. As per the report, that unlocks the possibility of a surprise move to two teams – Inter or Juventus.
Losing Kessie to either of their top rivals would come as a bitter blow for Milan. Indeed, they lost Hakan Calhanoglu on a free last summer to their city rivals; losing Kessie to the same side would hurt them badly.
Conte is understandably feeling highly frustrated at the latest transfer snub, which still leaves him without a signing.
Alvaro Morata deal to ease Conte’s pain
Reports on Friday, meanwhile, claim Conte has gone into ‘full panic mode’ over his transfer frustrations.
As such, he is reportedly looking to raid Juventus for both Rodrigo Bentancur and Dejan Kulusevski.
However, it seems a third signing from Juventus is also being targeted in the form of Morata.
As per The Times, the former Chelsea striker is reportedly on offer to a number of clubs this month.
With Juve signing Dusan Vlahovic, Morata is surplus to requirements at the Bianconeri.
As such, Newcastle, Arsenal and Tottenham are all being given the chance to sign him.
Of the trio, it seems Spurs look the most likely.
Conte was the man who brought Morata to Chelsea back in 2017 – and reports in Spain claim a reunion is on the cards.
Spurs would only see Morata as back-up to Harry Kane, though, and only fancy an initial loan deal.
READ MORE: Midfield outcast nearing Ligue 1 switch but Levy puts Tottenham first in ‘ongoing’ talks
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