Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly identified Brighton & Hove Albion head coach Roberto De Zerbi as a potential future managerial target.
Current incumbent Antonio Conte is regarded as one of the most high-profile bosses in European football having won an array of league titles during his career.
However, despite guiding Spurs to the Champions League last season, the North London outfit are currently fifth in the Premier League and Conte has lost 21 of his 69 matches in charge.
Although the 53-year-old's contract is due to expire at the end of 2022-23, there is an option for that to be extended, providing that all parties are in agreement.
That said, speaking to reporters at a press conference earlier this week, Conte hinted that he may be tempted back to his homeland in the future.
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He said: "I prefer to live in the present, I don't want to think about the future but you perfectly know that as an Italian man and the former Italy manager, Italy is in my heart and Italy will always stay there.
"I will never exclude the possibility that I will be back here one day, who knows."
While much may depend on how Spurs fare during the remainder of the campaign, Football Insider suggests that a new name has been added to a list of alternatives.
The Spurs hierarchy are said to have been left 'hugely impressed' by the impact that De Zerbi has made at Brighton since replacing Graham Potter.
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In total, nine wins and five draws have been recorded in 19 matches in all competitions, the 43-year-old keeping the Seagulls in the hunt for European qualification.
As it stands, Brighton sit six points adrift of fourth-placed Newcastle United and four behind Spurs in fifth, but they possess at least one game in hand on each club.
Brighton also find themselves in the fifth round of the FA Cup, helped by a second victory in quick succession over Liverpool at the Amex Stadium.
Should Spurs ever make a formal approach for De Zerbi, they will likely find themselves having to pay a substantial fee, just like Chelsea did to acquire Potter's services.
Darren Plant
