Tottenham Hotspur seem to have wasted no time looking for alternatives to Alessandro Bastoni.
Spurs received a major blow this week when the player’s agent confirmed he would stay at Inter Milan.
Tottenham are apparently trying to sign Pau Torres from Villarreal but another name has now emerged as a potential target.
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On Thursday, Calciomercato reported Roma defender Roger Ibanez as a long-term target for Antonio Conte.
Likewise at Tottenham, Newcastle United are apparently also in pursuit.
Indeed, the Magpies would have “demonstrated a first concrete interest” for the Brazilian international under 23.
Ibanez had a superb season under Jose Mourinho in Rome, winning the inaugural Europa Conference League.
The 23-year-old made 51 appearances in all competitions for the Giallorossi last term, including 34 in Serie A.
Calciomercato claim that while Ibanez isn’t ‘unsellable’, Roma want at least €30m (around £25.5m) for him.
The 6ft 1in centre-back has been in Italian football since 2019 so Conte and Fabio Paratici will no doubt know him well.
“I want to show what I can do on the pitch”
Ibanez would certainly be a big shout out for Spurs – an incredibly talented young defender with plenty of experience at the top level.
When he joined Roma in 2020, he spoke about his strengths and also showed the right kind of attitude as he challenged for a first-team spot.
“I studied the history of the club before signing and there are so many champions from the past,” Ibanez said, via Football Italia.
“I know there is a lot of competition for places, but I can make room for myself, both between now and June and until next season.
“I’m also fast and strong in the air, I like to play the ball on my feet. These are all words, of course I want to show what I can do on the pitch.”
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