Spurs boss Nuno rebuffed by former employers while pursuing reunion with winger

For new Tottenham Hotspur boss Nuno Espirito Santo, life in North London has started well. 

The former Wolves manager masterminded a 1-0 victory over reigning champions Manchester City on the opening weekend of the Premier League season, before beating his former side by the same scoreline on Sunday.

Now, it appears that the Portuguese has made a move for one of his former players, but his ex-employers don’t appear to be doing him any favours.

According to The Times, Santo has had an offer for Adama Traore rejected by the midlands club.

The report suggests that the offer was a loan deal with an option to buy, that also included a fee of around £5 million.

Wolves, meanwhile, rejected the offer as they favour a guaranteed sale.

Traore played in Wolves’ 1-0 defeat to Spurs on Sunday.

Santo is apparently keen on signing an attacking player that can be used out wide or through the middle.

The manager has revealed that he wishes to deploy a system with two strikers, meaning that any acquisitions in attack may not necessarily be replacements for Harry Kane, but instead options to play alongside the England captain.

The 25-year-old, a graduate from Barcelona’s La Masia academy, has just two years remaining on his current deal and it is believed that he will not sign an extension, hence Wolves’ eagerness to sell him.

Traore was part of the squad that represented Spain at Euro 2020, having initially hinted that his international allegiance may instead lie with Mali.

The winger has scored ten goals and provided 18 assists for the club since joining from Middlesbrough in 2018.