The summer transfer window has been open for just under a week, meaning old Tottenham links are resurfacing and new ones are coming to light. Spurs have already signed Ivan Perisic and Fraser Forster on two-year free deals and young goalkeeper Josh Keeley.
Yves Bissouma seems to be the next on the list, with the current Brighton midfielder expected to undergo a medical on Thursday, after a reported £25million fee was agreed earlier this week. This would take Tottenham's tally up to four signings, for both the present and the future.
This will only give Antonio Conte a boost, ahead of what is expected to be a tough pre-season, before a big 2022/23 campaign. The Lilywhites will hope they can climb the table even further next season and win some much-needed silverware
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However there are still a number of areas that could do with strengthening, to upgrade in some positions and provide the Italian with squad depth. This is where a player like Jesse Lingard could come into the equation.
The Daily Express reported at the start of the month that Man United had confirmed the 29-year-old will leave the club this summer. The attacking midfielder struggled for regular game time last season, making just 16 Premier League features and starting in only two of those matches.
This came just after a successful loan at West Ham, which highlighted the quality Lingard does have, echoed by Rio Ferdinand's comments last year.
"I’ve argued with pundit after pundit, on-air, and off-air. He could play in any top team because he’s an intelligent footballer. He can play off one touch or two touch," the former United player explained.
Lingard was also praised by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer during his time in charge of the Red Devils. This quality has led to the Englishman being linked with various clubs.
football.london reported in January that Spurs had made contact with the 29-year-old's camp over a potential move to the capital. This summer the links have resurfaced, although Tottenham's pursuit wouldn't come without competition.
There are some suggestions that Lingard would like a move abroad, others are linking him with a move back to West Ham and there have even been some links to Everton. The attacking midfielder hasn't sold everyone and former Spurs goalkeeper Paul Robinson isn't convinced with what Lingard could bring to Tottenham.
"Not for me. Where does he fit in?" Robinson told Football Insider. "If a deal for Richarlison comes into fruition Spurs are well stocked in forward areas. They already have Son [Heung-min], Lucas Moura, [Dejan] Kulusevski and Harry Kane.
"Lingard is not a holding midfielder so he would be coming into the squad as one of the wide forwards. Lingard is not going to play wing-back either. I struggle to see where he is going to fit into that system.
"He doesn’t play ahead of Son and he doesn’t play ahead of Kulusevski. If you put Richarlison into that mix…We know [Steven] Bergwijn is probably going to be on his way but even then I can’t see where Lingard fits in. He just doesn’t fit the system Conte plays," the 42-year-old added.
Robinson's admission comes with the idea of Richarlison making the move to Spurs, with the Brazilian also being linked with a move to the capital. However even if it isn't the Everton man who makes the move to N17, the Lilywhites are likely to target another attacking player who can fulfill that role.
Therefore this would hand Lingard a struggle when trying to break into Conte's regular side. The 29-year-old may not be so likely to make a move to north London if he doesn't think he can get game time, when he could move elsewhere and become a regular starter.
Tottenham's attacking trio were posing a threat to many Premier League sides, especially in the latter stages of the season. Although the Italian needs depth in attack, Spurs will have to bring in players that can either fight for their spot in the regular XI or be happily sidelined and called upon when needed.
The most important thing this summer is bringing in players that Conte wants and that will fit straight into his system and if Lingard isn't that player, Tottenham will be less likely to pursue a deal, but only time will tell.
