Tottenham Hotspur are lining up a central defensive addition in the summer as they look to bolster Antonio Conte’s backline…
What’s the word?
Among their key targets is his former Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni, according to the Telegraph’s Mike McGrath, who claims he is one of three options on the club’s radar ahead of next season.
RB Leipzig’s Josko Gvardiol and coveted Lille star Sven Botman are the two other names mentioned.
The latter was recently Newcastle United’s no.1 target throughout the January window but the Saudi-backed outfit couldn’t convince the Ligue 1 side into a sale, whilst Bastoni played an integral role for Conte on their way to the Serie A title in 2020/21.
Imagine him and Cristian Romero
The 52-year-old head coach has brought his 3-4-3 formation to north London after he replaced Nuno Santo in November and has used a variety of options, though his first-choice back-three appears to be Eric Dier, full-back Ben Davies and Atalanta loanee Cristian Romero.
He returned to the side for the first time in several months this weekend, earning a start in their FA Cup victory over Brighton and Hove Albion.
It has become evident that the likes of Joe Rodon and Japhet Tanganga just aren’t fancied, thus there’s become a need for extra quality in the defensive department.
Conte’s familiarity with Bastoni would make him a perfect candidate to seamlessly slot straight in and the prospect of pairing the 22-year-old gem alongside Romero, 23, for years to come is certainly mouthwatering.
The 6 foot 3 defender played 33 times in their title-winning campaign, where he averaged 1.2 interceptions and 1.1 tackles per game. He has since progressed under the new coaching team, managing an average of 1.5 tackles from 21 appearances this term, via WhoScored.
Such form and performances has led to some high praise indeed.
Top Bins Talk, who analyse the brightest talents across the footballing world, once described him as a “Rolls-Royce” of a defender with world-class potential, whilst talent scout Jacek Kulig claims he is a “complete, dominant and elegant” centre-back.
Bastoni has also earned comparisons to an Italian legend; one of his Euro 2020-winning teammates.
“He controls the opponent, space and with a refinement that has rarely been seen, reminds me of a young [Leonardo] Bonucci,” said Italian journalist Mario Sconcerti.
Valued at £54m by Transfermarkt, the 22-year-old Italian international wouldn’t come cheap but he would certainly be an addition that elevates Conte’s squad onto the next level and on the above evidence, he’d be a remarkable signing indeed.
AND in other news, Forget Harry Kane: £31.5m-rated Spurs “animal” with 97% pass accuracy stole the show vs Brighton…
