Tottenham are open to selling both Dele Alli and Giovani Lo Celso in the final days of the January transfer window, with both players omitted from the matchday squad for their derby clash with Chelsea on Sunday, GOAL understands.
Both men have been linked with the exit door at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium under Antonio Conte, with the duo's absence from their vital clash with the Blues at Stamford Bridge the latest indicator that their time with the Lilywhites may be up.
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Both players have cut peripheral figures under the Italian and ahead of this weekend's game, Lo Celso further confirmed that his absence was not injury-related, adding fuel to the fire that his days - and those of his team-mate - are numbered.
What has been said?
"Regarding the questions I received, I would like to clear out that I am 100 per cent in good physical condition," the Argentine wrote on his Instagram story shortly ahead of kick-off.
"I have no problem and I feel very well. I wish the best to my team in the derby today."
Lo Celso's words were emblazoned over an image of him and several team-mates laughing together amid a training session.
What has Conte said?
Conte was asked about Alli's future after his side's 2-0 defeat at Chelsea on Sunday, but he refused to say what lies in store for the England international.
He said to Sky Sports: "I don't want to comment on single players. There is the club to make the best decision. There is a sporting director and chairman and they take the last decision."
The Italian coach chose not to address the likelihood of new players coming in before the transfer window closes and insists his team's problems cannot be solved just by transfers.
"This is not the right moment to speak, the club know very well what I think," he said.
"There is not one transfer market to close the gap. The last few years this gap became very big and now it is not simple to find a solution in a short time.
"I am only focused to work until the end, we have four months to try and give everything, but if we think we solve with the transfer market the situation, it is not the reality. You need many years, but for sure we have to start.
"You have to sell or loan players and it is difficult and then you have to find the right players for you. You can only start this process but you need many years. It won't be easy, I spoke with the club and am totally in this position of the club to work and improve the situation on the pitch.
"I am enjoying my time in Tottenham, we have four months to work and get the best possible result. I am proud of the effort. Sometimes you can push 100% but it is not enough."
Conte continues to reshape Spurs in own image
Since the forrmer Chelsea boss returned to the Premier League to succeed Nuno Espirito Santo following a rough start to the new campaign, Tottenham have undergone a clear identity shift to suit their new manager.
But it has apparently spelled the end for players like Lo Celso, Alli and Tanguy Ndombele, with the latter's tenure as a club-record signing also likely to end this month before the window closes.
The latter looks poised to head back to France, where he originally signed from, with Paris Saint-Germain mooted to be considering a loan swoop for his services - though countryman Hugo Lloris will not join him at the exit, having penned fresh terms in north London.