Report: Conte wanted Achraf Hakimi but Tottenham knew a deal was impossible

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The Athletic have suggested today that Tottenham Hotspur boss Antonio Conte actually wanted to sign Paris Saint-Germain star Achraf Hakimi at right-wing-back this summer.

Spurs had a really impressive transfer window in general. They signed seven new players, including Djed Spence from Nottingham Forest, but the youngster wasn’t Conte’s first choice for that right-wing-back role.

Antonio Conte wanted Achraf Hakimi at Tottenham

At the end of last season, Conte reportedly decided that he wanted two new wing-backs – one on each side.

Spurs managed to sign Ivan Perisic on the left and he’s a fantastic addition. The Croatian fits Conte’s system perfectly, and he could prove to be their best signing of the summer.

On the opposite side, Conte apparently wanted someone on a similar level to Perisic. The report suggests that the Italian, deep down, would’ve liked Hakimi at Spurs, another player he managed at Inter Milan.

However, Tottenham immediately knew that a deal to sign the Moroccan, who PSG recruited in a £60 million deal last year (Sky Sports), was simply impossible in this window.

Hakimi is one of the best players in his position in the world. The 23-year-old is rapid and offers a fantastic balance between attack and defence at right-wing-back. That’s probably why Conte preferred to sign him for Tottenham.

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Spurs were really quiet on transfer deadline day yesterday, which was a surprise as they had been linked with quite a few players to strengthen their right-wing-back position.

The likes of Adama Traore and Dan James were reportedly their top targets, but deals for neither player materialised in the end.

As a result, Spurs have to make do with Emerson Royal, Matt Doherty and young Spence until at least January.

However, we won’t be surprised if Conte orders Fabio Paratici to sign a top-quality right-wing-back in the winter window – possibly someone who does the same job as Perisic on the opposite side.

It will be interesting to see who Spurs will bring in if they dive into the market in January, but we’re pretty sure PSG will not sell Hakimi to them anytime soon.