Terms agreed: Spurs closing in on £97k-p/w "special talent", Conte will be buzzing - opinion

Tottenham Hotspur are closing in on their fifth signing of the summer transfer window…

The north London outfit have already bolstered Antonio Conte’s playing squad with the free-agent additions of Ivan Perisic and Fraser Forster, as well as adding Premier League experience in the form of Yves Bissouma from Brighton and Richarlison from Everton.

Now they are close to sealing another arrival, according to Italian transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.

“Clément Lenglet to Tottenham, just matter of time and then… here we go soon. Agreement’s being finalised between Barcelona and Tottenham on loan deal, working on details,” he tweeted.

“Lenglet agreed personal terms with Spurs last week, matter of final steps between clubs.”

Spurs have long been on the lookout for a new left-sided central defender to compete with, or ultimately, usurp Ben Davies in the pecking order. The Welsh full-back has been Conte’s preferred option in the role since arriving in November, despite having Davinson Sanchez and Joe Rodon.

That is because he is the only left-footed option suitable to playing in a back three and in the long run, with Champions League games soon on the horizon too, that is just not sustainable.

The Italian head coach was dealt a blow in his attempts to lure his former gem, Alessandro Bastoni, to Hotspur Way. It’s believed the Inter Milan star is keen to remain at the San Siro instead.

As a result, it’s clear that sporting director Fabio Paratici’s attention has turned to Lenglet, who on the face of it, isn’t as inspiring but nonetheless, he will do a solid job for Spurs in 2022/23.

The £97k-per-week Frenchman only managed 724 minutes of competitive league action last season but despite that, he remains amongst the top 1% of his