Tottenham have long been admirers of Alessandro Bastoni, with the asking price being a big stumbling block – until now, perhaps
(Image credit: Marco Canoniero/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Tottenham's interest in Alessandro Bastoni has reignited – and now they could get him on a bargain deal.
Spurs were reportedly extremely keen on the Inter Milan defender in the summer, with Antonio Conte looking to solve the problem position on the left side of his back three. Bastoni worked under the Italian at the San Siro and was seen as the perfect candidate.
Conte has muddled on with the likes of Ben Davies and the on-loan Clement Lenglet doing adequate jobs there for him but Bastoni remains the ideal fit. Previously, however, Inter were demanding far too much money for the 23-year-old.
Antonio Conte worked with Alessandro Bastoni in Serie A – now he wants a reunion… (Image credit: Getty)
According to Calciomercatoweb, Tottenham may have found the perfect way to reduce the asking price for Bastoni, by offering out-of-favour right-back Emerson Royal.
Royal joined from Barcelona in the summer of 2021 in Nuno Espirito Santo's short-lived stint. The Brazilian has been a regular since his arrival in England but in part due to the lack of quality in that area, with many Spurs fans seeing him as a weak link who doesn't offer the kind of drive that the side need on the right flank.
Tottenham are apparently keen on signing Pedro Porro from Sporting to start at right wing-back, though the Evening Standard claim that such a move is complicated by the fact that neither Emerson nor Matt Doherty want to leave.
Offloading Emerson and paying just £13m in return for an in-demand centre-back could be the perfect solution to kill two birds with one stone for Conte, though. Djed Spence, meanwhile, joined from Middlesbrough over the summer but hasn't been given game-time to prove himself under Conte.
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Emerson Royal has failed to impress many Tottenham fans (Image credit: Getty)
Tottenham reportedly only have around £30m to spend this window. Getting Royal off the books and bringing in Bastoni could be great business all round, while Porro and Brighton star Leandro Trossard are also in the crosshairs, according to the Mail.
Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.
