Antonio Conte promised huge Tottenham transfer budget by Daniel Levy
Daniel Levy is said to have offered Antonio Conte a huge transfer budget to tempt the Italian to take the Tottenham job this summer.
The Italian, fresh out of work after winning Serie A with Inter, appears to be on the brink of replacing Jose Mourinho in north London. But convincing him to take over has not been an easy task for Spurs.
Earlier reports suggested he would only take the job if given assurances over the future of Harry Kane, who he sees as essential to any success he may have in his second spell as a Premier League manager.
Levy is determined to keep hold of Kane, though, even despite the striker's strong desire to leave, and that is likely to have influenced Conte's decision. But it's worth noting the future of Kane is not his only concern.
The Mirror report that Conte also has serious reservations over the state of the squad, and in a bid to ease those, Levy has promised the incoming manager 'major funds' to oversee a summer overhaul.
While the exact figures aren't known, Spurs plan to reduce the age of the squad this summer, and want to recruit in at least three positions - centre-back, right-back and central midfield. That squares with Football London's claims that Tottenham want two new defenders, and makes sense, considering Conte almost exclusively plays with three centre-backs.
Joachim Andersen is one player Tottenham have been linked with after an impressive season on loan with Fulham, while MIlan Skriniar - who was key for Conte at Inter - has long been a rumoured target for Levy.
In any case, it appears the Spurs chairman understands the need to spend this summer. With finances tight, they may have to move a few players on in order to finance their promises to Conte, but in any case it seems the Italian won't go short of new signings if he does take the reins at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.