Tottenham have suffered a blow in their efforts to sign Wolves winger Adama Traore before the January transfer window closes on Monday.
Antonio Conte is eager to bolster his squad this month, particularly in the attacking third of the pitch where all too often they have been found lacking, but also at wing-back where the likes of Matt Doherty and Emerson Royal are yet to nail down the role in Conte's system.
The Italian has spoken recently about the need to have reinforcements to allow the likes of Harry Kane and Son Heung-min to rest when needed amid a packed schedule.
“I think that especially in this league, because the level is very high and you have to play a lot of games, if you want to have ambition, to be competitive, to fight for something important, you have to have 20 players. Two players in every role," he told his press conference two weeks ago.
"Otherwise it’s difficult for the coach to make rotations because you want the best. But you have to know that if you want to be competitive, you need a couple of players for every role.
“And between the player who usually plays, and the other player, the gap has to be not so big in every role."
The lightning pace of Traore was seemingly of great appeal to the former Chelsea and Inter Milan boss, with Spurs being linked with the winger throughout the window.
As recently as two days ago, the north Londoners were said to be closing in on a £20million deal that would see the Spain international make the move south.
However, it has now been reported that the move could be off with Traore unwilling to play as a wing-back in Conte's preferred 3-4-3 set-up, according to The Athletic.
Barcelona have reacted quickly and are now putting a package together to tempt him back to Barcelona, the club with which the 26-year-old played before moving to Aston Villa in 2015.
The news is sure to come as a blow to Spurs fans with just four days remaining to bring in much-needed attacking reinforcements.
