Tottenham Hotspur insider John Wenham has provided an update on the speculation surrounding a move for Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni.
The lowdown: Spurs interested in Bastoni...
Having initially been tentatively linked with a sensational move to bring the centre-back to north London, Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth recently told Give Me Sport that Spurs were 'still pushing' to sign the 23-year-old this summer.
However, Fabrizio Romano has voiced suggestions to the contrary and has cited quotes from the Italy international's agent confirming that the player will remain at Inter beyond the summer transfer window.
Upon hearing the latest, one informed onlooker has had his say on the current situation...
The latest: 'Move on...'
Speaking to Football Insider, Wenham - who breaks club news on his Lilywhites Rose social media accounts - has suggested that Spurs should now set their sights on two alternative targets, having seen the contradictory reports about Bastoni.
He said: “I’m quite happy to move on now. If the player’s will to facilitate the move isn’t there then that’s that. He’s made it clear that he wants to stay at Inter Milan, fair enough. We knew that two days before the window opened.”
Wenham continued: “His agent made it abundantly clear before the window opened that he is content to stay in Milan.
“Now we look at other targets, Pau Torres and Josko Gvardiol have been mentioned. I am happy for us to move on to another target at this stage.”
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The verdict: He's right
If indeed a move for Bastoni is no longer a realistic prospect this summer, Antonio Conte and Fabio Paratici must set their sights elsewhere, as Wenham has implored, and ensure that an elite centre-back can be added to the N17 ranks.
The Lilywhites have been linked with a plethora of targets in recent weeks, including both Torres and Gvardiol, along with a possible swoop for Barcelona's Clement Lenglet.
All three of those defenders would be worthwhile and adequate additions to supplement the centre-back department at Tottenham.
Having already signed Yves Bissouma, Ivan Perisic and Fraser Forster, the focus of the transfer attention should now be on attack and defence in order to fully furnish Conte with an embarrassment of riches to take on the Premier League and Champions League next season.