‘Deny’: Conte favourite dismisses Spurs transfer links
Inter Milan defender Stefan de Vrij has denied claims he is set for a move to reunite with Antonio Conte at Tottenham Hotspur, despite rumours linking the 29-year-old with a transfer.
Conte has been in the managerial position at Spurs for less than two week but numerous players have already been linked with a move to join him in north-London. This includes players from his former side, Inter.
de Vrij, a key member of Conte’s Inter side than stopped Juventus’ run of Serie A titles, is the latest to be rumoured. The Dutch defender played 66 times in the league under Conte as part of the Italian’s favourite five-at-the-back formation.
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Conte has begun life at Spurs continuing with his favoured formation and looks likely to be bringing in defensive reinforcements in January and the summer.
However, the defender has refuted claims he is set to move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the near future.
Ahead of Holland’s World Cup Qualifiers, de Vrij spoke to Sport Nieuws (The Boot Room) and was asked to confirm or deny any links to Spurs.
“Deny! Because I don’t know anything about anything,” the Dutchman was quick the answer.
“The connection was maybe made a bit quickly because the trainer I have worked with is now working there. But I don’t know anything. He (Conte) hasn’t approached me about it yet.”
Away from defensive reinforcements, Conte also has the get Harry Kane firing again after the forward has struggled since being linked with a summer move to Manchester City.
Questions have been asked over the forward’s commitment to the cause to Spurs but Kane believes he has handled the situation well.
“There was a lot of talk and speculation over the summer. The first real time that’s happened to me in my career. But that’s part and parcel of being a big player, having to deal with those situations, and I think I dealt with it well,” said the striker.
“Now it’s just about focusing. There’s still a long way to go at club level. Now it’s just about finishing these two games strong and finishing what’s been a great calendar year with England.”
