"I keep being told": Transfer insider drops THFC claim involving £54m-rated ace Conte knows well

Tottenham Hotspur head coach Antonio Conte could make Inter Milan ace Alessandro Bastoni his top defensive target ahead of the summer transfer window opening for business, according to journalist Dean Jones.

Conte failed to strengthen his backline in January, with Dejan Kulusevski and Rodrigo Bentancur being the only winter additions to the squad he inherited from Nuno Espirito Santo, but the Italian could look to freshen up his options ahead of next season.

According to Spanish sources, Tottenham have already shown they are keen to welcome Bastoni to north London by lodging a £42million bid.

However, it is understood that Inter are reluctant to sanction Bastoni’s exit and they are in a strong negotiating position due to more than two years remaining on his £122,000-per-week San Siro contract.

Bastoni, who is valued at £54million by Transfermarkt, was first linked with a switch to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium just a matter of days after the closure of the January transfer window.

The Athletic have claimed the 23-year-old remains a potential acquisition ahead of next season, although Sven Botman, Josko Gvardiol and Nico Schlotterbeck are also on Conte’s radar.

The report suggests Spurs will prioritise welcoming a left-sided centre-back to the club this summer and 11-cap Italy international Bastoni is seen as a viable option by those working behind-the-scenes at Hotspur Way.

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Jones believes there is a strong possibility that Conte will push ahead in his efforts to sign Bastoni.

The transfer insider feels the Italian may be ahead of Botman, Gvardiol and Schlotterbeck in the pecking order.

When asked who Spurs could prioritise signing, Jones told