Tottenham have been linked with Alessandro Bastoni in recent months, but they have been handed a blow in their pursuit of the Italian defender.
Fabrizio Romano has told Caught Offside that Inter Milan are likely to demand more than the reported €50-€60 million price tag for Alessandro Bastoni. And to hand a blow to Totteham, he has said that the 23-year-old Italian international won’t leave the Nerazzurri in the January transfer window.
Bastoni was heavily linked with a move to Tottenham during the summer transfer window. But the transfer never materialised. The player was keen on continuing with Inter Milan back then. However, the transfer links have surfaced once again, with the January transfer window fast approaching.
It is no secret that Spurs will have to bring in a quality defender to partner Cristian Romero at the heart of the defence. And Bastoni can be a quality long-term signing for them. The 23-year-old is regarded as one of the best defenders in Italian football right now, and Antonio Conte knows all about him, having worked with the player during their time together at Inter Milan.
Fabrizio Romano has now poured cold water over Tottenham’s hopes by suggesting that the Italian international is likely to cost a premium, and won’t be available in January.
Romano said, “Sorry Tottenham fans, but I have no news on Alessandro Bastoni right now; he has a long-term contract with Inter and he won’t leave in January, despite speculation to the contrary.
“I can’t even give you a clear idea of an asking price as I don’t think Inter would name one, but I’m sure they won’t sell him for the reported €50-60m I’ve seen around.”
It will be interesting to see if Tottenham decide to test the waters at the end of the season once again. It is clear that they would have to pay a premium to bring the 23-year-old to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium next summer.
The north London club have put together an impressive squad in recent windows. But they are still in need of defensive reinforcements if they are to challenge for the Premier League title. Daniel Levy backed Conte significantly during the summer transfer window. And it will be interesting to see whether the Tottenham chairman is prepared to do so once again next summer.
Conte is an ambitious manager who will look to win the major trophies, and he needs better players for that to happen. Spurs will have to back him in the transfer window if they want him to continue managing them beyond this season. With Conte looking for a potential move to PSG or Real Madrid, Tottenham cannot afford to drop the ball.
