Sport nationFormer Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte could be set to exact revenge on his old club by scuppering their plans to sign Bayern Munich striker Joshua Zirkzee. The Italian tactician, who left Spurs under acrimonious circumstances last year, is reportedly the frontrunner to take over at Bayern this summer.
Conte’s tumultuous Tottenham tenure
Conte’s 16-month spell in charge of Tottenham came to an abrupt end in March 2023 following a scathing post-match rant in which he publicly criticized his players after a 3-3 draw with Southampton. The 54-year-old lambasted his squad, questioning their commitment and accusing them of being “selfish” and unwilling to play under pressure
1.The explosive interview proved to be the final straw for Spurs chairman Daniel Levy, who dismissed Conte just a few days later. It was an ignominious end to a tenure that had promised much but ultimately delivered little.Conte arrived at Tottenham in November 2021 with a glittering CV, having won league titles with Juventus, Chelsea and Inter Milan. He was tasked with turning Spurs into genuine contenders for silverware and securing a top-four finish in the Premier League.Despite some encouraging signs early on, including a run to the semi-finals of the EFL Cup, Conte struggled to impose his methods on a squad that had grown stale under previous manager Nuno Espirito Santo. Tottenham’s form was inconsistent throughout the 2021-22 season, with impressive wins often followed by disappointing defeats.Conte’s relationship with the Spurs hierarchy also became increasingly strained, with the Italian publicly voicing his frustration at the club’s lack of investment in the transfer market. He repeatedly called for reinforcements to help close the gap to the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool, but felt his pleas fell on deaf ears
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Zirkzee emerges as a Tottenham target
One area where Tottenham have been particularly light in recent years is up front. The club has relied heavily on Harry Kane to lead the line, with little in the way of quality backup.Kane’s departure to Bayern Munich last summer left a gaping hole in Spurs’ attack that they have struggled to fill. Brazilian forward Richarlison, signed from Everton for £60 million, has been used as a makeshift striker but looks more comfortable playing out wide
1.Tottenham’s lack of a genuine focal point has been a major factor in their underwhelming campaign, which sees them languishing in 7th place in the Premier League table, six points adrift of the Champions League spots.As a result, signing a top-class centre-forward is expected to be a priority for Spurs in the upcoming transfer window. And one name that has emerged as a potential target is Joshua Zirkzee.The 22-year-old Dutch international has impressed during a loan spell at Italian side Bologna this season, scoring 11 goals in 29 appearances across all competitions
1. Zirkzee came through the youth ranks at Bayern Munich but found first-team opportunities limited at the Allianz Arena.He spent the 2020-21 season on loan at Parma before joining Anderlecht on a temporary deal last term. Zirkzee’s performances in Serie A have caught the eye of several top European clubs, with Tottenham reportedly among his suitors.Standing at 6ft 4in tall, Zirkzee is a physically imposing striker with excellent technical ability and a keen eye for goal. He has drawn comparisons to former Chelsea and Ivory Coast forward Didier Drogba for his powerful style of play
3.Zirkzee’s contract with Bayern expires in 2026, but the Bundesliga champions have an option to buy him back from Bologna for £34 million (€40 million) this summer
1. It remains to be seen whether they will exercise that clause or look to sell him on for a profit.
Conte’s Bayern links could scupper Spurs’ plans
If Tottenham do decide to pursue a deal for Zirkzee, they could face stiff competition from none other than Antonio Conte. The former Spurs boss is widely expected to be named as Bayern Munich’s new manager ahead of next season, replacing the recently sacked Julian Nagelsmann
4.Conte has been out of work since leaving Tottenham but has made no secret of his desire to return to management at the highest level. Bayern would certainly fit that bill, with the German giants perennial contenders for the Champions League and Bundesliga titles.According to Italian journalist Marcello Giordano, Conte has already identified Zirkzee as a potential transfer target for Bayern this summer
1. The striker’s impressive performances on loan at Bologna have not gone unnoticed by the Bavarian club’s hierarchy, who are said to be keen on bringing him back into the fold.If Conte does take over at Bayern and pushes for a deal for Zirkzee, it could leave Tottenham empty-handed in their search for a new striker. The Italian’s inside knowledge of Spurs’ transfer plans from his time at the club could also give him an advantage in any potential bidding war.It would be a bitter pill for Tottenham to swallow, given their acrimonious history with Conte. The prospect of seeing their former manager not only take charge of one of Europe’s biggest clubs but also potentially beat them to a key transfer target would be galling for Spurs fans.
Tottenham’s striker search goes on
Regardless of whether they miss out on Zirkzee or not, Tottenham’s need for a top-class centre-forward is clear. The club has struggled for goals this season, with Son Heung-min and Richarlison the only players to reach double figures in all competitions
1.Spurs have been linked with a host of other strikers in recent months, including Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, Benfica’s Goncalo Ramos and Brentford’s Ivan Toney5. However, all three would likely command hefty transfer fees that could be beyond Tottenham’s reach without Champions League football next season.The club may have to get creative in their search for a new frontman, perhaps looking at younger, less established options or players from outside Europe’s top five leagues. Alternatively, they could try to bring in a more experienced striker on a short-term deal as a stop-gap solution.Whatever route they choose to go down, it is clear that signing a reliable goalscorer will be crucial to Tottenham’s hopes of getting back on track next season. The club has endured a turbulent few years, with managerial changes, player unrest and inconsistent performances on the pitch.A top-four finish and a return to the Champions League would go a long way towards restoring some stability and positivity around the club. But to achieve that, Spurs will need to address their glaring weakness up front and find a striker who can shoulder the goalscoring burden alongside Son and Kulusevski.Whether that man turns out to be Joshua Zirkzee or someone else entirely remains to be seen. But one thing is for sure – if Antonio Conte does end up scuppering Tottenham’s transfer
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Amina Umar