Antonio Conte may be appointed Tottenham boss TODAY with ex-Chelsea manager set to fly into London to complete deal

ANTONIO CONTE is expected to fly to London and could be appointed as the new Spurs boss today – but only if Daniel Levy agrees to meet his transfer demands.

Nuno Espirito Santo, 47, has been sacked by Tottenham after just ten league games in charge following Saturday’s disastrous 3-0 defeat at home to Manchester United.

ReutersConte is reportedly close to being appointed as Nuno’s replacement as Spurs boss[/caption]

Spurs are now eighth in the league after five defeats in their last seven games, with a series of poor performances persuading Levy to sack the former Wolves boss.

Former Chelsea boss Conte, 52, quit Inter Milan in May after just two seasons at the San Siro, in which he led them to their first Scudetto since 2009-10.

He was approached by Spurs’ director of football Fabio Paratici to replace Jose Mourinho as boss in the summer and was close to agreeing a deal.

But advanced negotiations broke down due to Conte’s huge financial demands, which Levy reportedly felt were excessive and potentially damaging for the club.

The Italian reportedly demanded a whopping £15million-a-year salary, as well as a transfer budget of £100m plus, which Levy felt was not viable for the club’s financial stability.

After talks broke down, a senior Spurs source said: “As soon as Conte became available, we had a duty to speak with him. He is a fine coach with an excellent record.

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“But Daniel felt his budgetary demands were not only unrealistic but also potentially damaging to our future. Daniel wants us to be successful more than anyone but not at the expense of the club itself.

“He knows any new manager is going to need money to improve the squad and he is certain to provide them with that. But there has to be a balance and it cannot leave the club in a perilous situation.”

But with Spurs now in advanced talks with Conte to become their new boss, his appointment will hang on whether Levy is prepared to change his mind and back him in the transfer market.

Italian transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has said: “Tottenham are now pushing to convince Antonio Conte as new manager to replace Nuno. He’s always been top of the list since June where there was no agreement with Spurs board.

“Tottenham director Paratici is working to find an agreement with Conte as priority. Tottenham board feeling ‘more than confident’ to convince Antonio Conte and appoint him as new manager to replace Nuno.

Talks progressing right now with Conte’s camp. He’s asking an important plan for next transfers window and long-term contract. Paratici is on it.”

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