Fabio Paratici is two transfers away from finalising…

Fabio Paratici is two transfers away from finalising Antonio Conte's Tottenham summer priority

Antonio Conte did not waste any time following his Tottenham appointment in November as he immediately changed the team's formation. Enjoying huge success at both Chelsea and Inter Milan with his three-man defence and wing-backs, Spurs lined up against Vitesse Arnhem in a 3-4-3 system despite extremely limited time on the training pitch with the Italian.

While there have been times when Conte has tinkered with the setup slightly and opted for a 3-5-2, the three-man defence and wing-backs have remained since his first game in charge, getting great joy from the wing-back areas in his previous two jobs. The same cannot be said about his first few months in N17.

A system that does suit both Matt Doherty and Ryan Sessegnon due to their attacking attributes, Sergio Reguilon and Emerson Royal have had to try to adapt rather quickly to the position, having both played as full-backs throughout their career. It may not seem like such a drastic change, but their struggles there have been noticeable.

Apart from Doherty raising his game and recapturing his Wolves form from February until he sustained a knee injury at the start of April, Conte didn't get the numbers from the other three players he would have liked. That meant change would always take place this summer in both positions.

Ivan Perisic was the first to arrive on a free transfer from Inter Milan, a player Conte knows incredibly well from his time at the San Siro. Djed Spence's protracted move from Middlesbrough was finally confirmed on Tuesday morning after weeks of speculation.

Both players thrive operating as wing-backs, and the hope is that Conte's Spurs side will tick with the duo making marauding runs down the flanks and finding themselves in the right positions to both score and assist. After all, Perisic recorded 10 goals and nine assists in his 48 appearances for the Nerazzurri last campaign, and Spence contributed three goals and five assists in Steve Cooper's Nottingham Forest side.

Conte really is spoilt for choice as things stand ahead of the opening Premier League game against Southampton with three players to pick from on either flank. Spurs may also have a fourth option on the right as Lucas Moura was utilised as a wing-back in the two pre-season friendlies in South Korea and impressed his boss in the process.

As important as it is for Spurs to bring players in this summer, it is also vitally important that some are now moved on to ensure they do not have a bloated squad. That will only prove troublesome when naming 25 players for both the Premier League and Champions League. One player in the position who does appear to be on the way out of the club before the transfer deadline is Reguilon, who was left out of Spurs' squad for South Korea and instead remained back at Hotspur Way to train.

The writing does appear to be on the wall for the Spaniard, with Fabio Paratici also set to face a crucial decision over what happens now that Spence is officially a Tottenham player. His arrival could force one of Doherty or Emerson towards the exit door, with the latter heavily linked with a move back to La Liga.

Keeping Doherty would ensure that Spurs still have three options on the left as he can play there if required even though it's not his natural position, with Lucas then a third option on the right if needed. Paratici and Conte still have work to do to finalise their playing squad ahead of the new season, and two transfers exit will complete the wing-back positions for the new campaign.

A transfer priority for Conte this summer, Spurs are now in a position where they ideally need to part with two after their transfer incomings.

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