Antonio Conte believes Tottenham are THREE transfer windows away from being title contenders

Antonio Conte says Tottenham did the best they could in the transfer window, but fears they still languish far behind the strongest teams in the Premier League.

Spurs signed seven new players early in the summer, although Conte stressed they had only invested big money to sign two experienced Premier League players, Richarlison from Everton and Yves Bissouma from Brighton.

In August, they signed only teenage left-back Destiny Udogie, who was loaned back to Udinese. The previous signing was Djed Spence, in mid July, and Conte was quick to point out he was a signing for the future.

Before this, they signed Ivan Perisic and Fraser Forster on free transfers, Clement Lenglet on loan, and Bissouma for £30million and Richarlison for £60m.

‘If you sign a player for £80million you have a big advantage because it means you are signing a top player,’ said Conte, speaking for the first time since the transfer window closed on Thursday. ‘If you can sign players for free or loan, it’s a different situation.

But, Conte (L) feels they still languish far behind the strongest teams in the Premier League

Conte stressed they had only invested big money to sign two experienced Premier League players, Richarlison (above) from Everton and Yves Bissouma from Brighton

‘We did what we could do. We did good things but I have to be honest, if I say we have the squad of a top team there is still too much distance and, for this reason, we need to know we just started this process to improve the squad.

‘We signed players at the right time because the vision was clear about the money to spend but we spent only on two players, Richarlison and Bissouma. The others on loan for free. We did the right things. But if someone thinks we completed the situation, we are very far from this.

‘To be competitive and to fight to be a title contenders, and also to get a place in the Champions League you need at least three transfer windows more to improve and try to be at the same level as the other top clubs.

Before this, Tottenham signed Ivan Perisic (above) and Fraser Forster on free transfers

The London-based club went on to buy Bissouma for £30million during the summer window

‘We have to be realistic there are clubs that can invest a lot, others clubs that can invest normal money and it’s hard.’

Spence cost £13m from Middlesbrough but the Tottenham boss categorises him as a prospect, who needs time to develop, along with others in his squad such as Bryan Gil and Pape Matar Sarr.

Conte refused to allow Sarr or Gil to be loaned out unless they could be replaced before the transfer deadline, and they remain in North London.

‘I was very clear with the club,’ said the Spurs boss. ‘If someone was to go on loan, another player has to come in. Otherwise for me it’s difficult to have the training sessions.

Conte insists he and his team ‘did what they could’ but claims they far from ‘completed’

‘We are talking about really good prospect, young players. They have to work like Spence to develop and then to be ready to be Tottenham players for the future.

‘This has to be very clear. Young player, good prospect but at the same time we need to have players ready to play Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup.

‘Ready to play with ambition, not only to play and develop during the game because for us the final result is vital. For me, for the club, for the fans, for everybody. The demand is high and for this reason we have to know we have to be ready for this demand.’