Report: Paratici may have 72-hours for Tottenham deal as rival readies bid for £26m target

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Inter Milan are ready to make Borussia Monchengladbach an opening offer for rumoured Tottenham Hotspur target Marcus Thuram, according to Calciomercato.

The Nerazzurri are struggling to unlock negotiations with Atalanta for striker Duvan Zapata, so have sought viable alternative targets. Simone Inzaghi will also rely on Edin Dzeko in the Serie A opener against Genoa with Lautaro Martinez suspended and Alexis Sanchez injured.

Inzaghi admires Joaquin Correa as an alternative to Zapata, having worked with the striker at Lazio. However, the Inter hierarchy would rather pursue Thuram if Zapata is not their solution after selling Romelu Lukaku to Chelsea.

Inter Chairman Giuseppe Marotta and Sporting Director Piero Ausilio have given Atalanta until Monday for a definitive verdict on Zapata. If the answers no, the Nerazzurri will move for Thuram and have already opened discussions with his agent, Mino Raiola.

Inter are ready to offer Borussia Monchengladbach €25m (£21.5m) for Thuram, though the Bundesliga outfit value him at €30m (£26m). Nerazzurri chiefs prefer the Frenchman to Correa as his physicality and technical skill allow him to play multiple attacking positions.

Tottenham also want Thuram, with Foot Mercato noting Fabio Paratici made the Borussia Monchengladbach forward a priority target in July. L’Equipe also reported Spurs’ Managing Director also met Raiola, as he looks to improve Nuno Espirito Santo’s options this summer.

Borussia Monchengladbach made Tottenham aware that, like Inter Milan, they would face a €30m (£26m) asking price for Thuram. The 24-year-old provided 11 goals and 12 assists in all competitions last season. He will now look to open his account for the new term against Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday, after a cameo against Bayern Munich after a knee injury.

Inter give Tottenham 72-hour window to win race for Monchengladbach star Thuram

Inter giving Atalanta until Monday has also given Tottenham a 72-hour window to win the race to sign Monchengladbach’s Thuram. Paratici can step up his pursuit of the four-cap forward, knowing the Nerazzurri will not move for him this weekend.

Additionally, Paratici already knows what Monchengladbach want for Thuram, which is more than Inter will offer for the Tottenham target. Even offering the Bundesliga side below their valuation could also get the ball rolling their favour before Inter swoop.