PROS AND CON Antonio Conte is keen on taking Tottenham job – despite former Spurs boss Pochettino remaining Daniel Levy’s top choice

ANTONIO CONTE is keen on becoming Tottenham’s new manager.

Posted Thursday, June 03, 2021 by Thesun.co.uk

The ex-Chelsea chief is now eyeing a sensational return to London — after leaving Serie A winners Inter Milan last week.

Antonio Conte is eyeing a return to the Premier League, with Tottenham, three years after leaving Stamford Bridge Credit: EPA

PSG say they are keen to keep Mauricio Pochettino - but Spurs supremo Daniel Levy is still hoping the Argentinian can return Credit: AFP

He is also on Everton’s shortlist to replace new Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti.

But former Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo, also wanted by Crystal Palace, remains front-runner for the Goodison job.

SunSport understands Spurs chairman Daniel Levy’s first choice is still his old manager Mauricio Pochettino, who has told current club Paris Saint-Germain he would like to go back to North London.

PSG insist they do not want Pochettino to leave — and the French giants recently triggered a 12-month extension to tie him to the club until 2023, which will increase any compensation Tottenham would have to pay.

Conte was one of several candidates Spurs sounded out after axing Jose Mourinho in April.

And reports in Italy claim the 51-year-old held further talks with the Prem club last week.

Former Azzurri coach Conte took over Chelsea in 2016 and led them to the Premier League title in his first season, before winning the FA Cup the following year.

He joined Inter in 2019 and this season guided them to their first league crown in 11 years.

Reports in Italy also claim Spurs want to bring in ex-Juventus sporting director Fabio Paratici, who worked with Conte at the Old Lady.

Everton owner Farhad Moshiri is willing to pay Conte the same £11million-a-year wage as Ancelotti, who was unveiled at the Bernabeu last night.

Moshiri held a board meeting on Tuesday with Conte, Nuno, David Moyes, Eddie Howe, Sean Dyche and Rafa Benitez all being considered.

Yet even before that, Moshiri had identified Conte as his prime target.

SunSport understands the wheels are in motion for talks with the former Italy midfielder, who also won three Serie A titles while in charge of Juve.

Moshiri’s bid to gazump Spurs underlines how ambitious he remains — despite the club facing losses of £220m over the last two years, which could lead to financial fair play restrictions.