Transfer Centre

Tottenham Hotspur 'draw up three-man defensive shortlist'

By Matthew Tranter, Reporter | 04 February 2022

Tottenham 'draw up three-man defensive shortlist'

Tottenham Hotspur are targeting three different defensive options ahead of potential transfers for the summer transfer window, according to a report.

Tottenham Hotspur have drawn up a three-man shortlist of defensive transfer targets for the summer transfer window, according to a report.

Spurs boss Antonio Conte focused on midfield and attacking areas in the winter window, having brought in Rodrigo Bentancur and Dejan Kulusevski from Juventus, whilst clearing out Dele Alli, Giovanni Lo Celso and Tanguy Ndombele.

However, the Italian's focus will switch towards the North London side's defensive options in the summer, according to The Telegraph.

Lille's Sven Botman, Inter Milan's Alessandro Bastoni and RB Leipzig's Josko Gvardiol are the trio being eyed up according to the report, with the former Chelsea boss keen to strengthen his current options of Cristian Romero, Davinson Sanchez, Eric Dier, Joe Rodon and Japhet Tanganga.

Twenty-two-year-old Botman was subject of interest from Newcastle United during January, but the Dutchman opted to remain with the Ligue 1 champions for the time being.

Meanwhile, Bastoni worked under Conte at the San Siro when he led them to the Serie A title last season, and has remained a consistent performer during his 20 league appearances so far this campaign.

Finally, Gvardiol is two years younger than the other two targets, and has impressed in his debut Bundesliga campaign for a struggling Leipzig side since arriving from Dinamo Zagreb for around £14.4m last summer.