Darren Lewis has claimed that Inter Milan defender and Chelsea transfer target Alessandro Bastoni would sign for Tottenham Hotspur if Antonio Conte pens a new contract.
The Daily Mirror journalist added that the likes of Harry Kane would follow suit in committing their futures, if Conte does the same, and he thinks the Italian will ‘stay’ at Spurs and be backed again, as he told Premier League Productions (24/10/22 at 2:20 pm).
Tottenham splashed the cash during the 2022 summer transfer window, including breaking their club-record transfer for versatile Brazil forward Richarlison from Everton.
Whilst certain top targets such as Richarlison and Yves Bissouma joined, they did miss out on others and highly-rated Italian defender Bastoni was one of them.
Well, that interest is still there from the north London club heading into 2023, but they are also joined by their neighbours Chelsea for the sought-after player.
Conte has less than 12 months remaining on his contract, with suggestions that it could be extended, but Spurs fans would still like to see him sign on the dotted line to show that he is true to this long-term project and football journalist Darren Lewis thinks that’s exactly what will happen.
“As far as Conte is concerned, there is a view that he’s leveraging the interest from Juventus against Spurs to say ‘look, this is what I want’,” said Lewis.
“Spurs know that if they let a guy go, who is a winner, a proven winner, then can they ever claim to be ambitious again? So, they have to give him what he wants.
“As far as he is concerned, he just has to commit, if he commits, then other players commit. Kane commits. The likes of Bastoni will leave Inter Milan, and I know he likes Bastoni, who is a huge commanding and imposing central defender. Adds the leadership he so desperately needs at the heart of that central defence.
“He also needs a creative midfielder as well. These players come if they know you are going to stay. But, as far as Spurs are concerned, they have to persuade him to stay, and in order to do that, they have to give him the finances. I think they will and I think he will stay.”
BASTONI SIGNING WOULD BE A STATEMENT FROM SPURS
There is no doubt that the Italy international is comfortable and pretty happy at Inter Milan, so from that perspective, it’s going to take a lot to persuade him to leave.
But that shouldn’t stop Spurs from pushing for his signature because, not only could they use the lure of money to bring him to the club, but they also have Conte in the dugout who had huge success with him at the San Siro.
It does seem as though, in 12 months’ time, everything will either be going very right for Spurs or just very wrong.
But, the forthcoming transfer window, and the 2023 summer window, might just prove to be huge in those at the top of the tree at Tottenham showcasing that they mean real business in wanting to compete with the very best.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
