After much speculation, Tottenham Hotspur are finalizing terms to sign Ivan Perisic on a free transfer. There is also an agreement with Fraser Forster to join the club from Southampton on a free transfer.
The 2021/22 Premier League season was full of drama down to the last day.
The pitfalls, ups and downs were so exciting it could have passed for a TV series. The season had sublime plots and subplots, and eventually, it climaxed with a befitting end.
Manchester City denied Liverpool the title with a back from the dead 3-2 victory over Aston Villa. Tottenham Hotspur beat north London rivals Arsenal to a top-four finish. It has ensured great expectations for the coming season, and preparations are on in earnest.
While Manchester City have already signed two players in Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez, Liverpool are still trying to put their house in order after a painful Champions League final defeat.
The same goes for Tottenham, who want to make a solid impression in the Champions League. Antonio Conte has already started making moves in the transfer market. The Italian is looking to bring in Inter Milan winger Ivan Perisic.
Spurs in pursuit of Perisic
A couple of years ago, Jose Mourinho wanted to sign a 28-year-old Ivan Perisic. They claimed signing Perisic would stunt the growth of Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford. Now 33, Perisic is on the radar of Antonio Conte. Discussions over a two-year deal are on, with Spurs looking to finalize terms for the winger early this week.
Spurs are in accelerated talks over the free transfer of Ivan Perisic, and the player is keen to leave Inter Milan. Perisic has rejected an offer to remain with the Italian side as the temptation of a new challenge in London looms.
Chelsea also registered an interest in Perisic, but the presence of Conte may have convinced the Croatian to choose Tottenham over Chelsea. Age is usually a factor that militates against players of his profile from signing at Spurs, but the north London club are ready to make an exception for Perisic. The management gave the green light for the signing of Perisic despite the reservations over his age.
Other players in the spotlight
Conte is looking to strengthen other areas in the team, particularly the defence. The Italian gaffer, whose best finish in the Champions League is the quarter-finals, wants to make an impression next season. Conte has his eyes on two other players he believes can make a difference.
Alessandro Bastoni is a transfer target for Antonio Conte. The 23-year-old Inter Milan centre-back has received rave reviews in Italy this season. Djed Spence, who had an impressive loan spell, is another player Conte wants to add to his defence. The Middlesbrough full-back is among the players the Italian believes would add value to his side.
Conte also wants to strengthen his goalkeeping options. Ahead of a move as a free agent, Goalkeeper Fraser Forster had a medical on Thursday and joins next month from Southampton.
Meanwhile, Giovani Lo Celso is in discussions with Tottenham to make his loan deal at Villarreal a permanent move. Lo Celso cost Tottenham an initial £27 million, but Villarreal are not willing to pay anything close to that figure. The Spanish side have offered around £17 million for a player.
To cap it all, Conte has agreed to remain at Spurs for at least another season after assurances of backing in the transfer market.
