Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Tottenham Hotspur remain keen on signing Ruslan Malinovskyi after failing to get a deal for the Atalanta star over the line during the summer transfer window.
Malinovskyi has primarily been used as an impact substitute at Atalanta this season and the attacking midfielder’s days at the club appear to be numbered, with his current contract running out next summer (Transfermarkt).
Tottenham have been backed to reignite their interest in the Ukrainian in January after missing out on him in the summer (Sport Mediaset), with the speculation linking the 29-year-old with a move to North London intensifying as we get closer to the January window.
CalcioMercato even reported earlier this month the former Genk star is moving ‘increasingly close’ to Spurs, with the report adding that a fee of around €15m (£12.9m) would be enough to convince Atalanta to sell the player.
Romano has now revealed that Antonio Conte’s men continue to ‘appreciate’ Malinovskyi, explaining that the Lilywhites only failed to get a deal for the midfielder over the line in the summer as Atalanta were not willing to loan him out.
The journalist told GiveMeSport: “Malinovskyi remains a player they (Tottenham) appreciate. They wanted him in the summer and he was a priority, but the problem here is Atalanta.
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“Atalanta didn’t accept a loan deal with a buy option. Atalanta always wanted more than this – a permanent deal or nothing for Ruslan Malinovskyi.”
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Perhaps Spurs felt it would be a waste to sign Malniovskyi in the summer as he would be available for a lower fee in January or potentially for free at the end of this season. However, there could be other options like McKennie also on the market next month, which is why the Ukrainian might not be Conte’s first option anyone.
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