Tottenham: Conte wants 'someone like Christian Eriksen' at Hotspur Way | OneFootball

Tottenham Hotspur could add an attacking midfielder to their side before the end of the summer transfer window amid demands from Antonio Conte, according to Charlie Eccleshare of The Athletic.

The Italian has overseen a busy summer at Hotspur Way but remains eager to bolster his squad further ahead of the September 1 deadline.

What is the latest transfer news?

A report from the Evening Standard detailed that Conte wanted to add another creative midfielder to his side before the window closed.

Leicester City’s James Maddison is apparently of interest but the Foxes appear determined to cling onto the 25 year-old. They have slapped a £60 million price-tag on their asset, with Newcastle already seeing two bids of their own rejected.

Another name mentioned is Roma winger Nicolo Zaniolo, with reports in Italy suggesting a £40 million switch could be on the cards.

Either arrival would be the club’s seventh of the summer window following Richarlison, Ivan Perisic, Fraser Forster, Yves Bissouma, Djed Spence and Clement Lenglet into the club. A deal has also been agreed to sign Destiny Udogie from Udinese, with the left-back set to be sent straight back on loan.

It is a transfer that Conte appears eager to complete.

What has Eccleshare said on the pursuit?

Eccleshare believes that the manager wants to add an attacking midfielder to his squad before the transfer window slams shut.

The Athletic reporter suggests that they currently do not have an option capable of unlocking defences from the middle of the pitch and are reliant on their wide options.

He told GIVEMESPORT: “I think he wants that other option. He wants that attacking midfielder because he doesn’t really have that. You know, they don’t have someone to unlock a deep-lying defence in the way they used to have with someone like Christian Eriksen.

“Their threat largely comes from the flanks through either the wide forwards or the wing-backs. Obviously, he’s brought in Perisic and I think Perisic offers exactly the kind of threat he wants from his wing-backs.”

Will Spurs complete a deal?

As things stand, it appears more unlikely than likely. But things can change very quickly in the transfer window.

The six current signings were all brought in with impressive efficiency, hinting that there had been plans in place to land them for some time now.

With those priority deals sewn up, it may well just be a case of waiting and seeing if any big-ticket options become available in the remaining weeks for an attractive price.