Italian journalist now reveals huge Spurs transfer twist, Antonio Conte will be fuming - opinion

Gianluca Di Marzio has dropped an update on reported Tottenham Hotspur transfer target Alessandro Bastoni.

In a recent article posted on his own website, the Italian journalist revealed that, despite Fabio Paratici and Antonio Conte being reported to have been plotting an offer for the 23-year-old for a number of months, it is Manchester United who have now made a concrete move for the Inter Milan centre-back.

In his piece, Di Marzio wrote: “Alessandro Bastoni is very popular in the Premier League: Antonio Conte’s Tottenham have already started contact both with Inter and with the player, without, however, formulating a precise offer yet. Not only that: in the last hours also Manchester United have been moving for the 23-year-old Nerazzurri central defender.”

Considering just how perfect a fit Bastoni appears to be for the left centre-back role in Conte’s backline, in addition to the fact that Tottenham have been plotting a move for the Italy international for a considerable amount of time, Di Marzio’s claim that Manchester United have now made a move for the defender is sure to have left the 52-year-old Spurs coach fuming.

With the signing of a new left-footed central defender reported to be the Italian’s priority target ahead of the new Premier League season, it is not difficult to understand why Paratici has identified the 23-year-old as Tottenham’s first-choice option this summer.

Indeed, over his 31 Serie A appearances in 2021/22, the £60m-rated talent was imperious in Simone Inzaghi’s three-man defence, helping the Nerazzurri keep eight clean sheets, as well as making an average of 1.1 interceptions, 1.4 tackles, 1.8 clearances and winning 4.1 duels – at a success rate of 60% – per game.

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