Report: Spurs willing to lay ‘golden bridge’ to tempt £51m powerhouse to N17; Conte loves him

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Tottenham Hotspur are nearly over the line in terms of finishing in the Premier League’s top four this season.

Spurs are fourth in the table with one game to go, two points ahead of Arsenal and with a better goal difference.

A draw away at Championship-bound Norwich will most likely be enough to clinch Champions League qualification.

Antonio Conte has worked miracles at N17, but he’ll need to bolster his ranks significantly for next season.

Not only do Tottenham need higher quality in their starting XI, but also strength in depth.

Milan Skriniar, who played under Conte at Inter Milan, is a player reportedly on the Spurs manager’s radar.

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Tottenham would be ‘ready to lay a golden bridge’ – namely, make a very fruitful offer – to try and sign the 27-year-old.

As well as Spurs, Chelsea and Manchester United are apparently also in pursuit of Skriniar.

The Slovakia international’s Inter contract runs out in 2023, so time is running out to sort out his future.

However, Gazzetta have also claimed that the Nerazzurri hierarchy has pencilled in talks with Skriniar after the season ends.

Inter are apparently drawing up a contract until 2027, which would include a yearly salary increase from €4.5m (£3.8m) to around €5m (£4.2m).

This would work out at about £81,000-a-week – a salary Spurs could easily cover, particularly if they qualify for the Champions League.

Can Tottenham finally get long-term target to N17?

In June last year, football.london claimed that Skriniar was keen on a switch to Tottenham.

However, his high valuation put an end to the deal – Inter reportedly wanted £45million.

And in January, the Daily Express reported that Conte had made the 6ft 2in powerhouse a priority signing.

Inter Live said the Nerrazzuri wanted as much as £51million.

It remains to be seen how much they’d accept if they don’t manage to tie him down to fresh terms.