Italy international Alessandro Bastoni plans to spend ‘years’ with Serie A giants Inter Milan in a blow to Antonio Conte’s hopes of a Premier League reunion with Tottenham Hotspur, speaking to the Nerazzuri website.
A couple of years ago, Jose Mourinho’s Spurs side spent months chasing Milan Skriniar without ever looking likely to get their mitts on one of Europe’s finest central defenders.
Having since turned their focus from Skriniar to the younger and more technically-gifted Bastoni, 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 sooner cash in on Denzel Dumfries or even Lautaro Martinez than Bastoni; 23 years of age and brimming with potential.
According to Calciomercato, Inter are hoping to extend Bastoni’s contract until the summer of 2027. They will offer the silky, left-footed centre-half a £25,000-a-week pay rise at the San Siro. It’s an offer the former Atalanta starlet may be inclined to accept.
Antonio Conte wants Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni at Tottenham Hotspur
“Milan is the city where I see myself (staying) for many years,” Bastoni insists. “It represents what I’ve always wanted; to play at the San Siro in an Inter shirt.”
Bastoni won his first Serie A title under Conte in 2021; describing the former Juventus, Chelsea and Italy boss as the ‘Messi of managers’. And Calciomercato believe that Tottenham will be at the front of the queue – along with Manchester City – should Bastoni become available at any point.
But while the former Parma loanee retains a strong admiration for his one-time Nerazzuri boss, that is not enough to put doubts in his head.
“Is it true that he (Conte) wanted me at Tottenham? There was some contact,” Bastoni told CM recently. “But I’m happy at Inter.”
Italy coach Roberto Mancini tipped Bastoni to become the ‘new Giorgio Chiellini’ a couple of years ago. Though his superb passing range and confidence in possession means he arguably shares 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 central defender one of their top priorities next summer; Clement Lenglet only on loan from Barcelona. Spezia’s Poland stopper Jakub Kiwior is one potential option. West Ham looked at Kiwior before signing Nayef Aguerd.
Fabrizio Romano, meanwhile, reports on that Tottenham plan to open talks with Bayer Leverkusen youngster Piero Hincapie. The Ecuadorian is far from the finished article but has plenty of time on his side.
“When I read that so many teams love me, it means I’m doing something right,” Hincapie says.
“In any case, I try to focus on doing my best with Bayer Leverkusen. I try to continue improving. So that, if necessary, I can make the leap to another team in the future.”
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 child. I watch a lot of matches, not just the Clasicos. I would like to lead a big La Liga team one day.”
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