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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Darren Lewis

Antonio Conte identifies first target of Tottenham's £150m summer spending spree

Tottenham boss Antonio Conte has Europa League-winning Eintracht Frankfurt wing-back Filip Kostic in his sights as part of a £150million spending spree.

Tottenham’s owners ENIC have confirmed they are pumping in the staggering cash injection Conte has been demanding to fuel a title challenge from Spurs next season.

A statement announced that "the equity injection provides the Premier League Club with greater financial flexibility and the ability to further invest on and off the pitch. The investment represents permanent capital, with no ongoing interest cost to the club, and which may be drawn in tranches until the end of the year.

"The statement went on:The club’s independent directors have benefited from its majority shareholder’s ability to invest directly, swiftly and without the extensive due diligence and documentation involved in third party funding.” Tottenham are desperate for Conte to continue his work after the Italian led the club into the Champions League following a shambolic first half of the season.

Defying the odds and in a stunning riposte to Manchester United chiefs who rejected him, Conte ended the season having rejuvenated Harry Kane and having improved the transfer values of a string of players he doesn’t even want. Conte wants at least two central defenders, a new right wing-back and left wing-back, another midfielder and another striker.

Among his potential arrivals is £12million-rated Kostic. The 29-year-old has just a year left on his contract and both Conte and his Director of Football Management, Fabio Paratici, are keen to invest in his consistency. Last weekend Kostic was crowned Europa League Player of the Tournament by UEFA. He is among a string of targets Conte has laid out to target with the backing of Spurs chairman Daniel Levy this summer.

HAVE YOUR SAY! Who should Tottenham sell and sign in the summer? Let us know in the comments section

Eintracht Frankfurt defender Filip Kostic caught the eye in their Europa League final win over Rangers (Getty Images)

The north Londoners are keen for Conte to continue his work after the Italian led the club into the Champions League following a shambolic first half of the season. Kostic has been hugely impressive for Frankfurt this season, proving himself to be one of the best left-wing backs in Europe. In the Europa League he finished with three goals and the most assists - six - in the competition. The combination made him the joint-most productive player alongside Rangers’ James Tavernier.

Jose Mourinho is keen to take Kostic to Roma while Lazio believed they had a deal to sign him wrapped up last summer, only for Frankfurt to decide they did not to sell. Conte remains an admirer of Ryan Sessegnon and is excited by the 22-year-old’s potential but is likely to sell Sergio Reguilon - who only signed last summer for £27.5million - with the Spaniard no longer in his plans.

Conte also sees versatile Burnley star Maxwell Cornet as an option. The 25-year old signed a five year deal at Turf Moor last summer for an initial £10.2million. But he also has a £15million clause in his contract which became active once the club were relegated on Sunday.

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