Conte wants to bring out-of-favour Man Utd defender to Spurs

Antonio Conte has made a good start to life as Tottenham Hotspur manager.

The Italian has overseen two wins and a draw in his first three matches in all competitions (prior to Thursday’s trip to Mura) as he slowly starts to turn Spurs’ rollercoaster season around.

Fans will also be pleased to read that chairman Daniel Levy will reportedly back the former Chelsea boss in the upcoming January transfer window.

According to journalist Duncan Castle, the North London side are interested in signing Manchester United defender Eric Bailly.

The Ivory Coast international has had a stop-start career at Old Trafford due to injuries and is now struggling to establish himself in the starting XI.

Conte has had an instant impact at Spurs.

Bailly has made just three appearances this season of which he scored an own goal in the last of them against Manchester City earlier this month.

However, it’s claimed that Conte is an admirer of the 27-year-old former Villarreal defender and is keen on adding him to his defensive ranks in the New Year.

“One of the things Conte is asking for in January is two starting centre-backs,” Castles told the Transfer Window podcast.

“One of the individuals they’re in discussions about, although as I understand it no offer has been made at this point, is a Manchester United player, Eric Bailly.”

“He’s someone who Conte likes and was looking at as a possible recruit at Inter.”

Bailly, who joined United in 2016, has helped the club win the EFL Cup and Europa League during a spell at Old Trafford which has delivered just 109 appearances.