"He is close": Spurs handed big Conte boost amid report on £18m-rated "future captain" - opinion

Tottenham Hotspur are in “advanced talks” with midfielder Oliver Skipp over a new long-term deal that will keep him at the club past 2024…

That’s according to Sky Sports News, who delivered an update on the 21-year-old’s situation this week (via Football Daily):

“Just into us, regarding Spurs midfielder Oliver Skipp.

“He is close to agreeing [to] a new long-term contract with Tottenham. The 21-year-old is in advanced talks over improved terms that will also extend his time at the club beyond his current deal, which lasts until 2024.

“He’s nearing [a] return to action following an injury and subsequent infection. He’s emerged as a key player for Antonio Conte.”

Those terms are thought to be around £35k-per-week, as per the Daily Mail.

Not only does Skipp appear to be nearing a return to the squad but he’s also set to be in north London for the long term and that’ll delight the Italian head coach immensely as he thinks so highly of the England U21 international.

“This player is a very young. He has really a lot of space for improvement. He played with great intensity, great passion, with heart, with soul. I think it was important because, for me, he doesn’t care if he’s only 21-years-old, who deserves to play,” Conte told the Evening Standard back in December.

More recently, he claimed that he was pushing the medical department for his return because he’s an “important player” for Spurs.

Indeed, Skipp has emerged as a standout machine in the engine room under the 52-year-old as he is starting to live up to the previous hype of being a potential future captain at the club.

“I see this kid being one day a future captain here by his character, by his personality,” the Portuguese once suggested.

Despite his prolonged absence,