Fabio Paratici is unwilling to pay Bologna their asking price for Tottenham Hotspur to sign defender Takehiro Tomiyasu this summer, according to Corriere dello Sport.
Bologna are desperate to sell the Japanese to reinvest the funds in the arrivals of Medhi Benatia and Arthur Theate. Their transfers are on standby all the while Tomiyasu remains on the books at the Renato Dall’Ara Stadium.
Tottenham are keen to sign Tomiyasu to strengthen Nuno Espirito Santo’s squad in north London. But Spurs Managing Director Paratici is currently unwilling to meet Bologna’s €25m (£21.5m) asking price for the £13,000-per-week enforcer.
Bologna are holding out for their asking price, despite it being Tomiyasu’s dream to join Tottenham, per Fabrizio Romano. The 22-year-old is keen to test himself in the Premier League after two years in Italy, plus a spell in Belgium after leaving Japan in 2018.
However, Tottenham and Paratici have only been willing to offer Bologna £15m for Tomiyasu, The Sun report. The Athletic also noted the north Londoners are confident the fee, plus add-ons, will be enough for a deal.
Tottenham already have the outline of a contract in place for Tomiyasu ahead of securing a deal with Bologna, too. Tutto Bologna note Spurs have worked with the Japan Olympic team member’s agents to outline a deal for the centre-back.
Paratici causing problems in Tottenham pursuit of Bologna defender Tomiyasu
Paratici refusing to pay Bologna’s asking price is causing problems in Tottenham’s pursuit of Tomiyasu. The transfer is becoming a drawn-out saga, and will not be helped by the Olympics.
Tomiyasu will surely give the games his full focus, and Japan begin their tournament against South Africa on Thursday. Spurs, then, may have to wait until next month before concluding his transfer, which raises doubt over him making the start of the Premier League season.
With Paratici also looking to offload Eric Dier, Davinson Sanchez and Toby Alderweireld, per The Times, Nuno could find himself having to rely on unwanted players at Tottenham, then, if Bologna continue to hold firm over Tomiyasu.
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