Last 48 hours: Spurs identify top target after Paratici & Conte talks; he’s a ‘young Bonucci’

Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly identified their top three left-sided centre-back targets ahead of the upcoming transfer window, with Inter Milan’s Alessandro Bastoni being made the number one priority, according to Football Insider.

The 23-year-old arrived at the San Siro from fellow Serie A side Atalanta five years ago, and he has since gone on to make 118 appearances for his current club.

Despite still having just over two years remaining on his current contract with Inter, the defender has been attracting plenty of interest of late, particularly from the Premier League in the form of Manchester United and Manchester City.

However, following a fresh update, it appears that the Lilywhites might just be the frontrunners in the race for his signature.

Football Insider reported on Wednesday afternoon that a Tottenham source has told the website that Bastoni is the ‘number one’ target of Antonio Conte and Fabio Paratici after the pair held ‘talks’ surrounding Spurs’ pursuit of the centre-back earlier this week.

The report added that the north London outfit are ‘lining up a move’ for the 23-year-old, but are also keeping RB Leipzig’s Josko Gvardiol and Villarreal’s Pau Torres ‘in their sights’ as credible backup options should a deal not be agreed with the Italy defender.

With Tottenham wanting to sign a new left-sided centre-back who will be able to easily slot into Conte’s three-man defence formation, it’s no shock to see them chasing the 11-cap Italy international given his record this season.

Bastoni, who was once described as a “young Bonucci” by Italian journalist Mario Sconcerti, made 1.8 clearances and 1.4 tackles and won 1.4 of his aerial duels per league game this term, via WhoScored, proving physically and on