Antonio Conte is on course to land his fifth signing of the transfer window after long-time Tottenham target Djed Spence was left at home for Middlesbrough's pre-season camp in Portugal.
Boro wing-back Spence, who helped Nottingham Forest to promotion on loan at the City Ground last season, has been on Spurs head coach Conte's shopping list all summer. And although the Teessiders have been playing hard-ball over the asking price – Boro want £20 million, while Tottenham's opening gambit was £10m plus add-ons – there does not seem to be much doubt that the north London club will land their prey.
Conte has already brought in Fraser Forster and Ivan Perisic on free transfers, Yves Bissouma for £25 million and Clement Lenglet on a season-long loan from Barcelona. Now they are closing in on Spence, who was left out of Boro's squad for the friendly against National League York and did not travel with the squad to Portgual.
The clubs remain in advanced talks, with a deal thought likely by the weekend at a fee of around £15m plus a further £5m in increments.
Sergio in demand
Italian outlet CMW claim Juventus have turned their attention to Sergio Reguilon after landing Paul Pogba and Angel Di Maria as their marquee signings.
Reguilon, 25, is among several Tottenham players who have missed out on the club’s pre-season tour of South Korea along with Giovanni Lo Celso, Tanguy Ndombele and Harry Winks.
But the Old Lady has competition for the left-back's signature, with Seville – where he won the Europa League on loan in 2019-20 – also keen on taking him back to Spain.
Spurs losing Raphinha tug-of-war
Tottenham look certain to miss out on Brazilian showman Raphinha after Leeds accepted a £58 million bid from Barcelona.
Although the attraction of Champions League football next season kept Spurs in the hunt – ahead of rivals Arsenal - Raphinha's heart has been set on a move to the Nou Camp.
Spanish outfit Mundo Deportivo have reported that both Spurs and the Gunners offered more than Barca, but the Catalan giants believe they are close to a deal now – although the transfer may be subject to Ousmane Dembele leaving first.
Bayo set for Lille
Another target to slip through the net at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium could be Clermont Foot striker Mohamed Bayo, who is lined up for a £10 million switch to Lille.
According to Foot Mercato, 24-year-old Bayo's move is expected to be completed this week – despite Spurs being named by French sources as a possible alternative destination.
