Tottenham tipped to break 'transfer record' at Hotspur Way

Tottenham Hotspur could break their ‘transfer record’ for a new centre-back this summer, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

Manager Antonio Conte and his recruitment team are thought to be searching for a new left-sided defender ahead of the upcoming window as they look to continue Spurs’ progress on the pitch.

A fourth-place finish is still in Tottenham’s hands despite their surprise defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion last time out thanks to the upturn in results since Conte’s appointment.

When the Italian tactician arrived in north London back in November, Spurs were sitting in eighth position in the Premier League table after picking up just 15 points from a possible 30.

Yet Conte’s appointment sparked a change in fortunes for the capital club, who are now the favourites to secure the final spot in next season’s Champions League.

However, Tottenham are still widely expected to strengthen their first-team squad ahead of next season following some shaky displays against the likes of Burnley, Wolves and Southampton.

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One position in particular that has been outlined for improvement is a left-footed cente-back.

Full-back Ben Davies has been filling in in that area admirably in recent weeks alongside Cristian Romero and Eric Dier, but a long-term solution is desired going forwards.

Conte was backed in January, with the Tottenham hierarchy sanctioning the arrivals of Dejan Kulusevski and Rodrigo Bentancur from Juventus.

And O’Rourke believes chairman Daniel Levy could fork out in excess of the £54 million it took to prise record-signing Tanguy Ndombele away from Lyon to sign a new central defender.

He told GiveMeSport: “I think for Tottenham, for the