Tottenham boss confirms behind-the-scenes contact with transfer expert who signed Cristian Romero

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou says he's been in touch with the club's former managing director Fabio Paratici despite the Italian serving a 30-month worldwide ban from football. 

Tottenham are expected to have a quiet transfer deadline day but Paratici has already impressed again this winter having helped in identifying Radu Dragusin who arrived from Genoa. 

Paratici was also integral in bringing Cristian Romero, Destiny Udogie, Pape Sarr, Rodrigo Bentancur and Dejan Kulusevski to north London and he re-structured the club's scouting department before his ban. 

Asked if he's been in touch with him recently Spurs boss Postecoglou told the Evening Standard: "I don't have a lot of dialogue with too many people. That's how I structure my working life, I keep these things to a minimum.

"Obviously I know Fabio and every now and then we'll exchange messages or calls. He's a smart guy and you can see that he's got a great eye for talent but within the workings of the club and what I do, I don't have that kind of engagement. Not just with Fabio but with most people.

"It's more about what the priority is right now, this week, and my focus is on the football and the football department."

Tottenham vs Brentford

The Lilywhites will hope to put the disappointment of losing to Manchester City at home and crashing out of the FA Cup behind them when they host Brentford this evening in the Premier League. Spurs boss Postecoglou will be without Giovani Lo Celso, Manor Solomon and Alejo Veliz due to injury, while Son Heung-min, Yves Bissouma and Pape Sarr are unavailable due to international duty. 

The north London club are aiming to avoid losing three home league London derbies in a row for the first time since April 2004 while Brentford have Brentford have lost their last four away matches in the league.