If Chelsea sell £33m attacker in January, Antonio Conte could finally sign key transfer target – opinion

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Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte will be hoping to dip into the transfer market in January to strengthen his squad.

A report from Football London suggests that Conte wants to bring in quality cover for Dejan Kulusevski.

The Swede’s injury in September threatened to derail Tottenham’s brilliant start to the season.

With Richarlison also unavailable, Conte had to tweak his tactics, but results and performances started to suffer.

Kulusevski has returned just before the World Cup break, and is already getting ready for the Premier League to restart.

Spurs have been linked with plenty of attackers, and will be waiting for the right opportunity to present itself before making a move.

They could benefit from a deal being mooted by London rivals Chelsea which is now being reported in Italy.

Gazzetta dello Sport believe that AC Milan are interested in a deal for Chelsea winger Hakim Ziyech.

The Moroccan is having a fantastic time at the World Cup, and looks surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge.

The report suggests the £33m attacker is keen on a move to Milan, which could either be a permanent deal or a loan move.

If this were to go through, Tottenham could finally sign long-term target Rafael Leao.

Tottenham could sign Leao if Ziyech leaves Chelsea

A report from Calciomercato in October suggested that Spurs were very keen on Leao.

The links have continued as Leao struggled to negotiate a new contract with the Italian champions.

Gazzetta dello Sport suggest that Ziyech could initially join on loan and then signed permanently in the summer, ‘when the Leao puzzle will also be resolved’.

Chelsea are unlikely to want to aid Spurs in their pursuit of Leao, and have also been linked with the Portuguese.

Both clubs may be keen for a swap deal, but Antonio Conte will hope he can convince to move to north London.

Leao has been an impressive impact substitute at the World Cup, and scored the winner against Ghana.

Tottenham could sign Leao to not only act as cover for Kulusevski, but put pressure on the Swede for his place in the starting line-up.

He would seriously increase the quality of Spurs’ squad, and has plenty of time ahead of him to continue improving.