January is undoubtedly set to be an important month for Tottenham Hotspur and Antonio Conte as they seek to add quality depth that can play a significant role in the final few months of the season. Atalanta star Ruslan Malinovskyi, who is a long-term Spurs target, is likely to be on the transfer wish list and could be Fabio Paratici's first January signing.
Conte and Spurs were significantly exposed in the weeks leading up to the World Cup break with Richarlison, Dejan Kulusevski, Son Heung-Min and Lucas Moura all absent at points through injuries. This meant there were heavy expectations on Harry Kane to provide the goals with Conte using Ivan Perisic in the front two for several games.
For the final match before the World Cup break against Leeds, Conte was able to call on Richarlison and Kulusevski and how much Spurs missed their versatile attackers was clear to see.
READ MORE: What Cristian Romero did to Hugo Lloris in World Cup final that will anger Antonio Conte
Although Son and Kulusevski are back 100% fit, football.london understands that Richarlison could be out for five to six weeks after suffering a hamstring injury at the World Cup. With the Brazilian set to be absent for the first month of 2023, any fitness problems to Kulusevski or Son could put Conte straight back in the same place he was in just last month, making January a crucial month.
Spurs have been linked with a number of attackers including Marcus Thuram in a potential cut-price January deal with his Borussia Monchengladbach contract up in the summer. Meanwhile Conte and Fabio Paratici could re-ignite their interest in a Serie A playmaker.
Malinovskyi was previously linked with a move to north London and a January departure could be on the cards with the 29-year-old seemingly out of favour with Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini. Malinovskyi has appeared for just 538 minutes across 14 games in Serie A this season.
Corriere di Bergamo reported on Sunday that Tottenham are set to offer €15million (£13million) in January for Malinovskyi and while a 'sale is being evaluated', the report claims that proposed offer from Spurs is 'not enough'.
Although, Spurs appear to be slightly below the expected asking price, Paratici has worked wonders with previous transfer deals involving players from his home country of Italy before. Cristian Romero was initially brought in on-loan, with an obligation to buy, to avoid an immediate fee being paid, while Pierluigi Gollini was trialled as a potential Hugo Lloris successor before being sent back to Italy.
Perhaps the best example of Paratici's transfer magic is the double January swoop of Rodrigo Bentancur and Kulusevski. Two players who were out of favour at Juventus are now crucial first-team players for Conte and a similar result could occur if Spurs can negotiate a tempting deal for Malinovskyi who is currently not getting a look in at Atalanta.
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