Report: Tottenham now keen to sign striker who Antonio Conte wanted to replace Harry Kane

The search for Harry Kane’s true successor at Tottenham Hotspur continues to haunt the North London club, with current options failing to deliver the required firepower.

While Dominic Solanke arrived last summer with high expectations, his modest return of eight Premier League goals has done little to ease the pain of losing their record scorer.

Now, Spurs appear ready to revisit an old transfer target who could finally solve their striker crisis – Juventus’ Dusan Vlahovic, available at a surprisingly affordable £20 million.

Solanke’s struggles mirror Tottenham’s disappointing campaign as a whole, with Ange Postecoglou’s side languishing in 17th place.

The former Bournemouth striker hasn’t received much support from his teammates, with backup option Mathys Tel yet to make an impact since his January loan arrival and Heung-min Son failing to replicate last season’s form when deployed through the middle.

This lack of reliable goalscoring options has forced Spurs back into the market, with their sights set firmly on the Serbian international.

Vlahovic represents unfinished business for Tottenham, having been identified as a prime Kane replacement by former manager Antonio Conte back in 2021.

Now, with Juventus reportedly willing to offload the 25-year-old at a fraction of his previous valuation, Spurs see an opportunity to finally land their long-term target.

Despite a relatively modest return of 14 goals across all competitions this season, Vlahovic’s pedigree as a proven goalscorer in Serie A makes him an attractive proposition at the quoted price.

The potential bargain deal has alerted several Premier League rivals, with Manchester United, Chelsea, Newcastle and West Ham all monitoring the situation.

However, Tottenham’s longstanding interest and urgent need for striking reinforcements could give them an edge in what promises to be a competitive race for the Juventus man’s signature.

Vlahovic’s statistics this season (30 starts, 14 goals) don’t tell the full story of his capabilities. The Serbian has demonstrated his quality in previous campaigns and could thrive in Postecoglou’s system with regular service from creative talents like James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski.

His physical presence and clinical finishing would offer Tottenham a different dimension in attack, potentially solving their goalscoring woes that have plagued them since Kane’s departure.

For Juventus, the decision to sell reflects their need to reshape the squad financially, presenting Tottenham with a rare opportunity to secure a top-class striker at a reduced fee.

While Vlahovic may not have reached his full potential in Turin, a move to the Premier League could reignite his career, much as it did for fellow Serie A exports like Mohamed Salah and Romelu Lukaku.

As Tottenham prepare for a crucial summer rebuild, securing Vlahovic’s signature could represent their most important piece of business.

The £20 million price tag makes this a low-risk, high-reward proposition for a club desperate to rediscover their cutting edge.

With competition for his signature heating up, Spurs must act decisively to finally solve their post-Kane striking conundrum and lay the foundations for a more competitive 2024/25 campaign.