Tottenham Hotspur reportedly remain interested in Ruslan Malinovskyi after attempting to sign the attacker in the latter stages of the summer transfer window.
The 29-year-old has been with Atalanta BC since 2019, representing the Italian outfit on 132 occasions in all competitions, contributing 30 goals and 27 assists in the process.
According to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Spurs wanted to sign the Ukraine international on loan with a buy option before the summer transfer window closed.
However, Atalanta ultimately did not allow the attacker to leave before the deadline.
Romano claims that Malinovskyi - also wanted by Marseille - 'dreams' of a move to Tottenham, and the North London club could reignite their interest either in January or next summer.
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The former Shakhtar Donetsk youngster was again an important player for Atalanta during the 2021-22 campaign, making 41 appearances in all competitions, contributing 10 goals and seven assists in the process.
This season, meanwhile, he has already provided one goal and one assist in four Serie A outings.
Malinovskyi largely operates as an attacking midfielder, but he is also capable of playing in a deeper area, and Tottenham are believed to be attracted by his versatility.
Spurs are also thought to have made a late attempt to sign Wilfried Zaha from Crystal Palace in the summer market, with head coach Antonio Conte looking to further boost his attacking options.
Conte was backed over the summer, though, with Richarlison, Yves Bissouma, Destiny Udogie, Djed Spence, Ivan Perisic, Fraser Forster and Clement Lenglet all arriving.
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Speaking on Friday, Tottenham's manager said that the club would need three more transfer windows before being able to compete with their rivals at the top of the Premier League.
"If you sign a player £80m or £100m on the last day you have a big advantage because it means you are signing a top player," he told reporters. "You can sign players also for free or on loan, and it is a different situation. I want to be very clear on that.
"I think we did what we could do and in the right time because the vision was very clear about the money to spend, about getting the free players or on loan because then we spend money on two players, Richarlison and Yves Bissouma, and other players on loan or also for free.
"I see the other squads of the top teams and there is too much distance. To be competitive and to fight to be a title contender and to try to get a place in Champions League you need at least three transfer windows more to improve and to be in the same level as the other clubs."
Tottenham will be bidding to return to winning ways in the Premier League following their draw at West Ham United when they host Fulham on Saturday afternoon.
Matt Law
