Tottenham identify first-choice target to replace Antonio Conte

Tottenham Hotspur have identified the club's primary target to take the place of Antonio Conte in the case of a summer departure, according to reports.

Speculation surrounding the future of Italian tactician Conte has of course been rampant in the media of late.

This comes amid the suggestion that the ex-Chelsea and Juventus boss has been earmarked as a potential replacement for outgoing Paris Saint-Germain headmaster Mauricio Pochettino.

Some outlets in France have even gone as far as to claim that Conte has offered up his services to the French champions, having been left altogether underwhelmed by his time in north London thus far.

And, if the latest word stemming from the media on Friday is anything to go by, then such reports may in fact not be too far from the truth...

This comes amid the assurance that those in a position of power at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium have already begun putting contingency plans in place in case of their manager's departure ahead of next season.

As per a report from the reliable Matt Law of the Daily Telegraph, should Conte opt to take his talents to Paris, then Spurs are primed to swoop for Graham Potter as his replacement.

Brighton's boss has guided the Seagulls to a record Premier League points tally this season, with Daniel Levy and co. known to be long-term admirers.

Any such move on Spurs' part to land Potter, though, would be expected to set them back 'in excess' of £10 million.

Anfield test

Turning attentions back towards the pitch, Tottenham will of course be back in action in a little over 24 hours' time.

The Lilywhites are set to make the trip to Anfield on Saturday night, for a daunting Premier League showdown with Jurgen Klopp’s quadruple-chasing Liverpool.

The clash represents an absolutely crucial one when it comes to both the title race and battle for European football.

With just four games remaining in the English top-flight campaign, Spurs currently sit 5th, two points adrift of capital rivals Arsenal amid a tense race for the final top-four berth.

Should a Tottenham defeat on Merseyside be followed by Arsenal getting the better of relegation-battling Leeds United on Sunday afternoon, Conte and co. would therefore find themselves with a near-insurmountable mountain to climb, albeit with a highly-anticipated North London Derby still to come later this month.

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