Tottenham will target late signing if Tanganga leaves Hotspur Way

Tottenham will only look to sign a centre-back if Japhet Tanganga leaves before Thursday’s deadline, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

The boyhood Spurs fan hasn’t played a minute this season and has been strongly linked away from north London throughout the majority of the window, which Jones thinks could prompt Antonio Conte to make a late move to sign a central defender.

Having been previously linked to both AC Milan and Bournemouth, Nottingham Forest are now the latest side to register their interest in Tanganga, who’s down the pecking order under Conte and unlikely to play much football despite the congested schedule ahead of the World Cup.

The Athletic claim that the newly-promoted outfit are ‘exploring’ a permanent deal for Tanganga, although Tottenham remain locked in talks with AC Milan over a switch to San Siro.

The 23-year-old’s opportunities are likely to be limited this season, especially following the arrival of Clement Lenglet from Barcelona, who can operate anywhere in the back three.

Conte has already allowed Joe Rodon to move to Rennes to improve his opportunities of getting more regular game-time ahead of the World Cup, and Jones reckons that Conte will also have to replace Tanganga should he end up doing the same before Thursday.

He told GIVEMESPORT: “They’ve got a list of names they’re willing to go for, but I don’t think they will go for it if Tanganga doesn’t leave, that’s my understanding anyway.”

If Tanganga does seek pastures new, Conte will have five centre-backs at his disposal, which might sound like enough, but not when you consider Tottenham play with a back three.

Factoring in Cristian Romero’s hamstring problems, which have seen him miss the last two games and the end of last