Tottenham transfer news: Antonio Conte builds shortlist as Lautaro Martinez plan emerges

Antonio Conte did not get what he wanted in the last transfer window and the challenge for Tottenham this summer is to make sure that changes.

The Spurs boss wanted to sign the spine of a new team with a defender, midfielder and striker all on his wishlist. He did get a midfielder in Rodrigo Bentancur, and a versatile forward in Dejan Kulusevski, who came in on loan. But neither player was a high priority for Conte, with Spurs failing to land Dusan Vlahovic - their top target up front - and a number of centre-backs.

Managing director Fabio Paratici is now under orders to do better, though Vlahovic will not be coming having signed for Juventus instead. Spurs backed away from a move for Inter Milan defender Stefan de Vrij in January because the asking price of around £40million was just too high.

But they will go back in for him this summer as Conte has worked with him before and regards him as the perfect addition to his back three. Dutchman De Vrij has a year left on his contract and Spurs believe they can now land the 30-year-old for a bargain price closer to £15m. His team-mate Milan Skriniar has also been on Tottenham's radar since the days of Jose Mourinho, and remains an option.

He too is out of contract in a year's time and at 27 is three years younger than De Vrij, but is also being courted by Juventus and represents a more expensive option and a less perfect fit. Spurs have also been scouting Red Bull Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol and Pau Torres of Villarreal and have an interest in Lille's Sven Botman.

But Botman is likely to have better offers this summer, and of all the defenders being looked at, it's De Vrij that Conte rates most highly. He wants an experienced, left-sided centre-back to play with