"Wants to join Tottenham" - Journalist says 49-cap international keen to link up with Conte

Tottenham Hotspur have been boosted in their pursuit of Ruslan Malinovskyi as the Atalanta star ‘wants to join’ Antonio Conte’s side at Hotspur Way, according to Daily Express journalist Ryan Taylor.

Spurs have not been afraid to splash the cash during the transfer window, with close to £110million being spent on fresh faces, but Conte could add further reinforcements ahead of the September 1 deadline.

Tottenham have reportedly moved into pole position to sign Malinovskyi after overtaking Nottingham Forest in the race for his signature.

It is understood that Spurs are willing to meet Atalanta’s £15million valuation, while Forest have failed with a £12.6million bid.

Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Malinovskyi ‘dreams’ of a move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, further strengthening the north Londoners’ hopes of securing the playmaker’s services.

Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini has confirmed that he is willing to sanction Malinovskyi’s departure ahead of the transfer window slamming shut.

Ligue 1 giants Marseille are also interested in the 29-year-old, but they have suffered a blow as Malinovskyi is not convinced by the project on offer at the Stade Velodrome.

Taylor feels Malinovskyi is keen to complete a switch to Spurs from Atalanta before next Thursday’s 11pm deadline.

However, the journalist reckons the north Londoners are unsure as to whether they are willing to meet the demands of the attacking midfielder’s current employers.

Taylor told GIVEMESPORT: “I believe Ruslan Malinovskyi wants to join Tottenham and Conte is open to signing him.

“But Atalanta would like a permanent deal, whereas I don’t think Spurs are entirely set on that at the moment. He is 29 and there’s also been talks with