Tottenham Hotspur have kick-started talks with Takehiro Tomiyasu as the Premier League giants look to raid Serie A for the second time in a matter of days, according to Calciomercato.
You can’t help but feel a slight pang of sympathy for Bologna’s Japanese international.
For a while, it looked that Tomiyasu was Tottenham’s number one centre-back target. That is, until a more glamourous option presented itself to Fabio Paratici, Nuno Espirito Santo and co.
Tomiyasu appeared to have been placed on the backburner as Spurs turned their attention to Cristian Romero; the man named Serie A’s Defender of the Year in May.
But with a £47 million, £45,000-a-week deal for the Argentina international now done and dusted, Tomiyasu is suddenly back on the radar, Tottenham offering him a route out of the rather awkward position he finds himself in with the new Serie A season just a week away.
Better late than never, eh Takehiro?
Is Takehiro Tomiyasu finally going to join Tottenham?
Tottenham already have a ‘rough agreement’ with the 22-year-old, Bologna having accepted a bid in the region of £17 million a number of weeks ago.
Tomiyasu, a one-time target for Southampton and Newcastle United, is keen on a move to the Premier League and would welcome the opportunity to join Romero in North London.
Calciomercato believe there is just one more hurdle to overcome. At this stage, Bologna and Tottenham have not come to an agreement regarding the terms of how that £17 million fee will be paid.
Will it be paid up front or via a series of instalments? The answer should present itself soon enough, with Tomiyasu expected to reinforce a club that may still cash in on Davinson Sanchez or Eric Dier.
As a move to Tottenham seemed to stall earlier this month, reports in Italy emerged suggesting that Tomiyasu could be on his way to Arsenal or West Ham instead. Mikel Arteta and David Moyes are understood to be keen on a man who can play anywhere in the defensive third with minimal fuss.
But Tottenham have always been in pole position and, after a brief detour, the end is now in sight.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
