Lazio-bound defender Bastos was reportedly a target for Spurs in July.
General View of Lazio’s Olympic Stadium
According to Italian newspaper Il Messaggero, Lazio are set to sign Rostov defender Bastos for £4.75m – having initially dropped their interest due to Tottenham rivalling them for his signature.
Bastos, 24, has been one of the top defenders in Russia since joining Rostov from Angolan side Petro Luanda in 2013, and his performances appear to have triggered interest.
A strong centre back who can also play in holding midfield, Bastos has 25 caps for Angola, and now appears to have earned a big move to Italy.
Rome-based newspaper Il Messaggero report that Bastos is set to sign for Serie A giants Lazio, with the defender set for a medical with the club ahead of a £4.75m switch, bringing an end to a long-term pursuit for Lazio and sporting director Igli Tare.
It’s stated that Tare has been a long-term fan of Bastos, but he initially gave up his pursuit of the defender in July, as AC Milan and Tottenham had joined the race for his signature.
Now though, Bastos is heading to the Italian capital, and it remains to be seen whether Tottenham and manager Mauricio Pochettino will move for another defender.
First-choice centre back pairing Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen are arguably the finest partnership in the Premier League, but backup Kevin Wimmer is out injured, and Federico Fazio has been sent to Roma.
Pochettino may feel that he’s better off developing talented youngster Cameron Carter-Vickers rather than signing another centre back, whilst Eric Dier, Victor Wanyama and Ben Davies can all fill in at centre back if needed, giving Pochettino some options even without the signing of Bastos, who would have been a cheap depth signing rather than a starter at White Hart Lane.
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