Report: Antonio Conte now very keen to sign £26m player for Tottenham and his club are ready to sell him

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Antonio Conte has spent the last 12 months shaping the Tottenham Hotspur squad in his image.

His side is now built around his favoured 3-5-2 system, but the Italian is always looking to make improvements.

A report from Tuttosport suggests that he’s still not happy with his wing-back options.

Conte’s tactics rely on his wing-backs being able to bomb forward and support attacks, while also being defensively stable.

They’re arguably the most important position in Tottenham’s team right now.

On the right, much has been made of his decision to stick with Emerson Royal this season.

He’s failed to impress with his attacking contributions, and has been suspect at defending at times.

There have been reports that Tottenham are ready to sell Royal in January, which wouldn’t be a massive surprise.

Spurs also have Matt Doherty and Djed Spence in reserve, but Conte has been unwilling to use the latter.

Spence could be push even further down the pecking order now as Tottenham want to sign Inter right-back Denzel Dumfries.

The Dutchman has struggled at the World Cup with the Netherlands, and now looks to be on the market.

Tottenham want to sign Dumfries

The report from Tuttosport suggests Dumfries is ‘considered the most transferable among Inter’s owners’, meaning he’s available if the right offer comes in.

They suggest that the bidding can start at £26m, and Antonio Conte is a big fan of the defender.

There’s the potential for Tottenham and Inter Milan to do an interesting swap deal in January.

Tuttomercatoweb have suggested that Inter are interested in Royal as a replacement for Dumfries.

Whether it would be a straight swap or cash might be involved going one way would need to be discussed.

Dumfries was exceptional at last summer’s European Championships last summer which earned him his move to Italy.

The 26-year-old has been first choice at the San Siro, but not hit the heights expected of him, especially going forward.

Conte’s vast experience in Italy, and ability to get the best out of his players will be a key reason why Tottenham want to sign Dumfries.

He’s never found the perfect fit for that right wing-back role, and the Dutchman could finally be the solution.