Tottenham and Arsenal are reportedly monitoring Ivorian full-back Wilfried Singo’s progress at Torino, although Catalan giants Barcelona are also keen on a deal.
The 21-year-old has emerged as a key player for the Serie A side, despite only being 21, and made 35 league appearances for a Torino side that finished mid-table in Serie A last season.
This season has started in a similar vein for the Turin-based outfit, who currently sit 10th after earning three wins from their opening eight league outings.
Singo, however, has impressed and earned his first call-up for the Ivory Coast in 2021. He has now won two caps for his country.
And according to SPORT, the north London duo and Barca are showing significant interest in the player.
Singo has primarily played as a right wing-back at Torino, which suits Tottenham more than the other two suitors.
Antonio Conte rarely changes from his 3-4-3 formation and puts a big emphasis on his attacking wing-backs.
As for Arsenal, Ben White has won the right-back starting spot ahead of Takehiro Tomiyasu. And although Arteta prefers to play with a back four, Singo has the versatility to play as a normal full-back.
Barcelona’s interest comes as somewhat of a surprise given that they brought in Hector Bellerin this summer.
That appears to leave the north London duo as favourites to snap up Singo in 2023. However, much will depend on Torino’s stance on the player, while there is no mention of the fee involved.
Singo fits Conte shape at Tottenham
The Ivory Coast international could end up replacing Emerson and Matt Doherty at Spurs. Conte, meanwhile, remains unconvinced that summer signing Djed Spence is the long-term answer.
Emerson has been first-choice so far this season, with Doherty and Spence hardly given a look-in.
And with the highly-rated Destiny Udogie arriving next season as the club’s new left wing-back, it could be that Tottenham start next season with two new players in the wide defensive positions.
Ivan Perisic was signed on a two-year deal over the summer, but Udogie is expected to challenge him next summer.
What that means for Ryan Sessegnon remains unclear. The England Under-21 started the season as Conte’s first choice on the left but has been usurped by the more experienced Croatian international in recent weeks.
There will be a chance for Sessegnon, Doherty and Spence to stake their claim for a regular starting berth from this weekend though.
Emerson is banned for the next three domestic games for Spurs after his red card against Arsenal.
Doherty is the most obvious replacement, but Sessegnon can also play on the right. Conte also the option of switching the two-footed Perisic over to the other flank and playing Sessegnon on the left.
Tottenham’s next game is a tricky away trip to Brighton on Saturday evening. They will then host Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League next Wednesday, a game in which Emerson can still feature.