‘I'd say…’ - talkSPORT man shares big blow for Conte in Spurs’ pursuit of ‘extraordinary’ tank

Tottenham Hotspur are ‘unlikely’ to sign RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol this summer, talkSPORT reporter Alex Crook has claimed.

The Athletic have previously reported that Spurs have drawn up a four-man shortlist of options as to who they could bring in as a left-sided centre-back this summer.

Inter Milan’s Alessandro Bastoni, recent Newcastle signing Sven Botman and fresh Borussia Dortmund arrival Nico Schlotterbeck all joined Gvardiol on Fabio Paratici’s wish list, but the Lilywhites could now be set to miss out on the entire quartet.

The two players who have undergone recent transfers are obviously now unattainable, while Bastoni’s agent has stated that his client will ‘certainly remain at Inter’. Also, German football expert Stefan Bienkowski has revealed that both Spurs and Chelsea have been informed by Leipzig that the Croatian is not for sale.

Crook is doubtful that Tottenham will sign Gvardiol this summer and reckons that the Lilywhites are more likely to dip into the Serie A market, given Conte’s and Paratici’s experience of that league.

Speaking with GiveMeSport, the talkSPORT reporter claimed: “I’d say unlikely. I think Leipzig are keen to keep hold of him for another season. I think there’ll be better value to be had in Italy.

“And this is still Tottenham and Daniel Levy, so they’re not going to pay over the odds for players. So, I think Serie A is a more likely destination.”

With all of Conte’s squad options in central defence being right-footed, the Italian had no choice but to use Ben Davies in that position, with the left-back proving to be a fantastic makeshift centre-half over the last few months.

The Wales international was utilised at centre-back 35 times last season, but it is understood that