Tottenham are reportedly interested in signing Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni, with manager Antonio Conte keen to get reunited with the player.
The Italy international, 23, one of Europe’s highly-rated defenders, has received a new contract offer from Inter Milan. The centre-back has received an offer worth €4.5m-a-year from the Nerazzurri for now.
According to Italian newspaper La Gazzetta Dello Sport, Tottenham are in pole position to sign Alessandro Bastoni should he fail to agree a new deal with Inter Milan. Should he choose to leave, Inter do have a potential replacement lined up in Atalanta’s Giorgio Scalvini.
Bastoni was Tottenham’s key defensive target in the summer and at one stage the defender told Inter that he wanted to leave the club and join Antonio Conte’s forces in north London. However, a move didn’t materialise and the 23-year-old ultimately stayed put at Inter.
Nonetheless, Spurs haven’t given up hope but now face a battle with Manchester City for Bastoni’s signature, the report adds.
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Tottenham are aiming to finish in the top four and have qualified for the Champions League knockout rounds this season. Antonio Conte, regardless of spending a lot of money in the summer transfer window, remains keen to bolster his squad further next month.
Clement Lenglet was signed on loan from Barcelona and, after not featuring much in the Premier League during the first half of the season, it is unclear whether Spurs fancy keeping him around. Ben Davies has done well as the left-sided centre-back in a back three but Conte wants an upgrade on the Wales international.
Thus, Tottenham’s interest in Alessandro Bastoni makes complete sense. Rated as one of Europe’s top young defenders, Bastoni can play in a flat back four, in a back three or at left-back, which Conte is well aware of. Conte worked with the Italian when he was the Inter boss and won the Scudetto in 2021.
Of course, the pair shares a special relationship from their time at San Siro and, Bastoni is an incredibly talented player who will be tempted to be reunited with Conte if Spurs do come calling for his signature. The Italy international would undoubtedly improve Spurs’ backline, whilst being an instant upgrade on Davies in a back three. A good reader of the game, composed in possession and competent in the air, he could thrive in Conte’s system.
As things stand, Inter are in a strong position to tie Bastoni down to a new deal, but that shouldn’t deter Conte and Tottenham’s hopes of landing him. All in all, the north Londoners must make a bold attempt to sign him in the January transfer window.