Tottenham Hotspur are targeting Alessandro Bastoni in an exciting double swoop during the January transfer window…
What’s the word?
That’s according to InterLive.it, who claims that Spurs manager Antonio Conte remains keen to sign his former Inter Milan centre-back along with Atalanta gem Giorgio Scalvini.
The central defensive pair are likely to cost a combined €95m (£83.5m) with Bastoni taking up €55m (£48m) of that.
It’s also suggested that the Lilywhites’ free-transfer raid for Ivan Perisic during the summer has left a sour taste in the mouth of most Nerazzurri supporters, so this would hand them yet another blow.
Conte’s dream winter signing
Bastoni would surely be something of a dream signing for Conte as he would not only fill the void for a left-footed centre-back but he’d be one for the long-term future, alongside Cristian Romero, at just 23 years of age.
The Lecce-born head coach tried to sign his former titan during the summer, to no avail, so it’s evident that he’s really keen to reunite with a player that he won the Serie A with only a few seasons ago.
That season, he started 33 league outings, where he looked to be the main outlet from the back, averaging a passing success rate of over 90%, via WhoScored.
Such form and quality have seen Bastoni likened to one of the country’s greats in Leonardo Bonucci.
“He controls the opponent, space and with a refinement that has rarely been seen, reminds me of a young Bonucci,” journalist Mario Sconcerti once claimed.
Also lauded as a “phenomenon” by Italian football expert Conor Clancy, the 6 foot 3 star is certainly a typical modern-day defender and one that is arguably one of the best around, ranking inside the top 1% of his positional peers across Europe for shot-creating actions and assists per 90, via FBref.
He also sits among the top 10% for progressive passes per 90 and would rank fourth in the current Spurs squad for passing attempts per 90, too.
Therefore, Bastoni – who was dubbed a “special CB talent” by analyst Statman Dave in the summer – would surely make for an ideal signing for sporting director Fabio Paratici to make.
The young sensation would need little time to adapt to Conte’s tactics and methods, and there is a clear need for a long-term option on the left side of the back three, with Clement Lenglet only on loan and Ben Davies – a natural full-back – not getting any younger.
As such, Paratici must seal this dream scenario for his manager at the turn of the year.
AND in other news, Spurs could seal Conte a dream Emerson upgrade in Jan swoop for £40m “special talent”…
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