Alessandro Bastoni deals a fatal blow to Tottenham’s hopes of a £50m deal
Italy international Alessandro Bastoni plans to spend ‘years’ at Serie A giants Inter Milan in a bid to dashed Antonio Conte’s hopes of a Premier League reunion with Tottenham Hotspur Nerazzuri Website.
A few years ago, Jose Mourinho’s Spurs side spent months chasing Milan Skriniar without ever getting their hands on one of Europe’s best centre-backs.
Having since focused on the younger and more technically gifted Bastoni from Skriniar, this latest transfer saga feels destined to end in similarly disappointing circumstances.
Inter Milan may be under near-constant pressure from financial fair play regulations, but the 2021 Serie A champions would benefit from Denzel Dumfries or even Lautaro Martinez rather than Bastoni; 23 years old and full of potential.
According to Calciomercato, Inter hope to extend Bastoni’s contract until the summer of 2027. They will offer the silky, left-footed centre-back a £25,000-a-week pay rise at the San Siro. It’s an offer the former Atalanta starlet is likely to take up.
Antonio Conte wants Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni at Tottenham Hotspur
“Milan is the city where I see myself (staying) for many years,” emphasizes Bastoni. “It represents what I always wanted; to play in an Inter jersey at the San Siro.”
Bastoni won his first Serie A title under Conte in 2021; described the former Juventus, Chelsea and Italy coach as the “Messi of managers”. And Calciomercato believe Tottenham will be at the front of the queue – along with Manchester City – should Bastoni eventually become available.
But while the former Parma loanee retains a strong admiration for his once-in-a-lifetime era Nerazzuri Boss, that’s not enough to make him doubt.
“Is it true that he (Conte) wanted me at Tottenham? There were some contacts,” Bastoni recently told CM. “But I’m happy at Inter.”
A few years ago, Italy’s coach Roberto Mancini dubbed Bastoni the “new Giorgio Chiellini”. Although his excellent passing distance and sure touch mean he arguably has more in common with Chiellini’s old sparring partner Leonardo Bonucci.
Who will replace Clement Lenglet at Spurs?
Tottenham are likely to make a left-footed centre-back one of their top priorities next summer; Clement Lenglet on loan only from Barcelona. Spezia’s Poland stopper Jakub Kiwior is a possible option. West Ham eyed Kiwior before signing Nayef Aguerd.
Fabrizio Romano, meanwhile, reports that Tottenham are planning to start talks with Bayer Leverkusen youngster Piero Hincapie. The Ecuadorian is far from done but has plenty of time on his side.
“When I read that so many teams love me, it means I’m doing something right,” says Hincapie.
“In any case, I’m trying to concentrate on doing my best with Bayer Leverkusen. I try to keep improving. So that I can make the jump to another team in the future if necessary.”
Hincapie cannot rule out a move to the Premier League but admits Spain is his dream destination.
“I’ve followed La Liga since I was a kid. I watch a lot of games, not just those classic. I want to lead a big La Liga team one day.”
In other news: Can Georginio Rutter play against Cardiff? £36m Leeds signing of the situation explained
https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2023/01/18/alessandro-bastoni-delivers-fatal-blow-to-tottenhams-hopes-of-50m-deal/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=alessandro-bastoni-delivers-fatal-blow-to-tottenhams-hopes-of-50m-deal Alessandro Bastoni deals a fatal blow to Tottenham’s hopes of a £50m deal
