Inter Milan are now interested in rivalling San Siro neighbours AC Milan for the transfer of Japhet Tanganga, having moved over recent hours to begin talks with Tottenham Hotspur.
That’s according to Corriere della Serra, who report the Nerazzurri have kicked off a Milan derby over the defender’s services. AC Milan have been exploring a deal to take Tanganga to Italy over recent weeks, but the Serie A champions were yet to agree terms with Spurs.
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Inter Milan have moved with a certain determination to explore the conditions required to now hi-jack Tanganga’s transfer from Tottenham. Simone Inzaghi appreciates what the 23-year-old could offer him in blue-and-black this season, as Inter bid to reclaim the Scudetto.
Inter now rivalling AC Milan with interest in Japhet Tanganga of Tottenham
AC Milan beat Inter to Italian top-flight honours last season for their first Serie A title in 11 years. Antonio Conte had led the Nerazzurri to Scudetto glory the previous season, before leaving the San Siro in the 2021 off-season and taking charge of Tottenham last November.
But Conte’s arrival in north London did not work in Tanganga’s favour as he rarely featured under the Italian. The former England U21 international played 11 Premier League fixtures all season for 739 minutes, with 373 minutes from six of a possible 10 games under Conte.
Tanganga did not feature beyond January, either, after he sustained a season-ending knee injury. The centre-half is now fit, however, and highly sought-after among Serie A sides for a summer switch. Il Tempo additionally cite further interest from Jose Mourinho at Roma.
Japhet Tanganga in-demand among Italian top-flight outfits this summer
Mourinho, who called Tanganga ‘amazing’ while in charge of Tottenham, is interested in a loan transfer to Roma this summer. But AC Milan had been the defender’s priority option, yet Calciomercato note he gave the Rossoneri until this Tuesday to remain his first-choice.
So, if Tanganga is now prepared to listen to rival interest, he could consider joining Inter if AC Milan cannot finalise an agreement with Tottenham. CalcioMercatoWeb note that the Rossoneri sought a season-long loan with an option to buy, but Spurs want an obligation.
Spurs also want the purchase clause to sit at €25m (£21m) with the London-born talent’s contract running until 2025. Tottenham last awarded Tanganga new terms in 2020, but he may now be exit-bound with Inter joining AC Milan and Roma in registering their interest.
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