According to a report by TUTTOmercatoWEB, direct contacts are underway for Tottenham Hotspur defensive target Nikola Milenkovic as managing director Fabio Paratici expands his scope.

The Lowdown: Spurs in defender market...

Tottenham, ideally, would like to sign two new centre-backs this summer according to reports - a goal which may have even been intensified since the club officially sold Toby Alderweireld to Qatari side Al-Duhail.

Spurs have been in talks to sign the likes of Cristian Romero and Takehiro Tomiyasu over this last month to name a few, but Paratici also have other targets on his radar.

The Latest: Spurs contacts for Milenkovic underway...

As per TMW, 'direct contacts are underway' with Fiorentina over their defensive powerhouse Milenkovic as Tottenham eye other centre-back targets.

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Paratici has apparently earmarked the Serbian as an alternative to Romero with both Spurs and Atalanta still locked in negotiations.

While La Viola have not approved of Milenkovic's exit this summer, TMW state that his contract situation could make this a viable swoop for Spurs.

The 23-year-old's current deal expires in 2022, meaning Fiorentina have only a limited time to make money off his sale.

As well as this, Milenkovic is apparently already open for 'relocation to London' this summer.

The Verdict: Sound alternative...

All signs point towards the towering 6 foot 4 powerhouse being a very fruitful Romero alternative.

Charlie Eccleshare, journalist of The Athletic, believes he would be a 'relatively straightforward deal' and could leave Italy for as little as €15 million (£12.7m).

Lauded as 'extraordinary' and 'ready for a great team' by Spanish defender Pol Lirola (SOSFantacalcio via xsport.news), Milenkovic started 34 league matches for Fiorentina last season and won the second-most aerial duels per 90 (3) on average out of their whole squad (WhoScored).

He also made the most clearances per 90 (3.6) out of any La Viola player with over ten Serie A starts, so £12.7m could be a real snip if Fiorentina are indeed willing to sell at that meagre price.

In other news: 'They might even'...Pundit backs Spurs to seal star striker signing right at the end of the window, find out more here.