"Conte will be hoping Fabio Paratici..." - Journalist drops THFC transfer claim involving Romero

Antonio Conte is keen for Tottenham Hotspur managing director Fabio Paratici to secure the services of ‘top young defenders’ who will form a three-man backline with Cristian Romero next season, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

Spurs were only able to welcome two fresh faces to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last month, with Dejan Kulusevski and Rodrigo Bentancur joining from Juventus, but they failed to bolster their defensive options.

According to the Telegraph, Conte has already compiled a three-man shortlist of defenders he would like Paratici to target ahead of the transfer window reopening in the summer.

The report suggests Lille’s Sven Botman, Alessandro Bastoni of Inter Milan and RB Leipzig’s Josko Gvardiol are on Conte’s radar as he looks to strengthen the north Londoners’ rearguard.

Botman was the subject of multiple bids from Newcastle United and has recently told Ziggo Sport, via The Sun, the Magpies have a ‘very nice project’.

In an interview with Le Parisien, via Get French Football News, Lille president Olivier Letang has also revealed he will hold discussions over the 22-year-old’s future in the summer.

Bastoni is familiar with Conte’s demands after making 74 appearances during his fellow Italian’s time at the Inter helm.

Despite being just 20, Gvardiol has been a regular feature at the heart of Leipzig’s backline since the campaign got underway.

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O’Rourke understands Conte is keen to add more defenders to his squad when the transfer window reopens at the start of July.

The journalist believes the 52-year-old is looking to bring in reinforcements to feature with Romero, whose season-long loan from Atalanta is due to be made