Report: Spurs think they’ll pip Arsenal to £21.4m player, Paratici the difference

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Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal are reportedly battling to sign the same player.

Spurs and the Gunners are rivals in terms of location, with both being North London clubs, but they’re also rivals on the transfer front.

Gianluca Di Marzio reported earlier this month that Arsenal are challenging their neighbours for the signing of Bologna centre-back Takehiro Tomiyasu.

Reports in Italy have suggested that Tottenham have already agreed personal terms with the player, while the Emirates Stadium club have been in touch with the Italian side.

But The Athletic has reported this morning that Tottenham are confident of pipping Arsenal and completing a deal for the player.

The report adds that the Lilywhites’ managing director Fabio Paratici – poached from Juventus this summer – has contacts in Italy and that they could be ‘decisive’.

How much?

According to Calciomercato, the Serie A club want £21.4 million for the player.

It’ll be a big coup if Tottenham can pip Arsenal to the signing, but this doesn’t always work out well.

Remember, the Gunners’ main rival for Real Madrid midfielder Dani Ceballos two years ago was Spurs.

But the Spain international had a pretty poor two-year loan at the Emirates and therefore Arsenal didn’t really have much of a last laugh.

That isn’t to say that Tomiyasu will flop because Paratici – who won 19 trophies as Juventus’ sporting director – clearly knows Italian football like the back of his hand and that’s why the Lilywhites are said to have an advantage.