Tottenham might be completing some "lesser deals" in preparation for a "big-money signing" in the months ahead, according to Daily Star journalist Paul Brown.

Antonio Conte has already got three players on board, although ENIC have spent less than £30m on bringing the trio to north London.

What business have Tottenham already completed?

Spurs are traditionally slow starters in the transfer window, highlighted by their only two January signings Rodrigo Bentancur and Dejan Kulusevski not arriving until deadline day.

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But Tottenham appear to be slowly shrugging off that tag, with Ivan Perisic and Fraser Forster both completing their moves on free transfers even before the market had opened for business.

Perisic came in from Inter Milan, while goalkeeper Forster, who'll provide competition and cover for Hugo Lloris, arrived for nothing from Southampton.

Spurs' first cash signing arrived in the shape of Yves Bissouma earlier this month when he made the £25m switch from Brighton.

With three key players through the door and only a small amount spent, Brown reckons that Conte's outfit might be gearing up for an exciting summer ahead.

What did Brown say about Tottenham?

He told GIVEMESPORT: "You're seeing some of these lesser deals happen now because they're trying to keep their powder dry a little bit and get bodies in, in case they have to make a big-money signing in that area of the pitch."

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Who would be Tottenham's big-money signing?

They might already have an outstanding front three, but if Tottenham want to close the gap on Manchester City and Liverpool, they have to upgrade on existing players and start thinking like a proper big club.

And the department which Spurs appear to be targeting a big-money signing is in attack, which might have the ingredients to take them to the next level by not only adding extra quality to the squad but leading to some of their current players raising their own games.

That arrival could come in the shape of Leeds ace Raphinha, with Tottenham interested in the Brazilian, although Arsenal have already seen a bid knocked back, while Chelsea and Barcelona are also in the race for his signature.

Richarlison is another South American on Spurs' radar, although Everton are said to be demanding in excess of £50m for the versatile forward and the Champions League club aren't yet close to matching their asking price.