Antonio Conte could find his next Arturo Vidal in Spurs target Nahitan Nandez | OneFootball

Tottenham Hotspur remain keen on Nahitan Nandez this January and he could well become Antonio Conte’s next Arturo Vidal in the engine room…

What’s the word?

According to Calciomercato (via Sport Witness), the Cagliari midfielder may have played his final game for the Serie A outfit amid interest from Spurs and Premier League rivals Leeds United.

It’s thought that the 49-cap Uruguay international wanted to leave in the summer but the club stood in his way, though this time they appear willing to let him depart for less than his €36m (£30m) release clause.

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Nandez was withdrawn early during the Rossoblu’s 4-0 defeat to Udinese at the weekend due to injury, so after tonight’s clash with Juventus, the Italian top-flight is on their winter break until January, in which the 25-year-old could be sold.

He is currently valued at £18m by Transfermarkt.

Shades of Vidal

Nandez fits the bill as a typical ball-winning and box-to-box enforcer that Conte loves in his system, similar to that of Vidal during his time at Inter Milan, where he guided them to their first Scudetto in over a decade last season.

It was the influence of the Chilean beast that helped Inter to such success.

The 34-year-old averaged 1.3 interceptions, 1.2 tackles and 0.9 shots per game, proving to be an integral part both defensively and in the final third, which is something that Nandez would bring.

Standing at just 5 foot 7, the diminutive dynamo has been dubbed a “machine” in the heart of the pitch by Italian football expert Conor Clancy.

“I think he’s only about five foot seven, but you wouldn’t know it if you just watched clips of him, he is a little bit of a machine. He’s so powerful but at the same time, has really, really good ball control.”

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Indeed, from 16 league appearances this term, the Uruguayan has averaged two tackles and 2.4 aerial duels won, displaying his defensive capabilities, but has managed an average of 1.5 dribbles and 1.1 key passes, via WhoScored, suggesting that he is capable of driving the ball forward, much like Vidal under Conte.

As such, Spurs sporting director Fabio Paratici must look to seal a move for Nandez this January.