Paper Talk: Tottenham rev-up interest in £15m Serie A centre-back

Tottenham are monitoring a Serie A centre-back ahead of a potential January bid, while Man Utd face rivals to sign a Bundesliga defensive midfielder, according to Tuesday’s transfer gossip.

SPURS CHASING SERIE A CENTRE-BACK

Tottenham are reportedly monitoring Sassuolo centre-back Gian Marco Ferrari, with a view to making a bid in January.

Jose Mourinho currently has five centre-back options to call on, with Toby Alderweireld and Eric Dier his first choice, although the former is currently on the sidelines.

Davinson Sanchez, Japhet Tanganga and Joe Rodon are also on Tottenham’s books, with the latter making his furst Premier League start in the goalless draw with Chelsea.

Rodon performed well at Stamford Bridge, despite a couple of errors that could have led to goals, but is he still inexperienced at top level.

Former record signing Sanchez has struggled with inconsistency, while Tanganga has had his fair share of injury issues.

To that end, sources have told 90min that Mourinho wants to upgrade his options in defence, with a left-footed replacement for Jan Vertonghen eyed.

The report adds that while Daniel Levy is willing to sanction a deal, Spurs do not want to spend more than £15m.

With that budget in mind, the north London side have targeted 28-year-old Ferrari as a potential option.

The defender is currently starring for Serie A surprise package Sassuolo, having played all nine games so far this season.

Ferrari was called up by Italy back in 2018 without playing, but his form this season saw him earn a recall for the November fixtures.

The former Sampdoria star is under contract until 2023 and was linked with Everton, Roma and Napoli last summer.

It is understood that Tottenham’s budget of around £15m would be enough to persuade Sassuolo to sell, with the Italian outfit hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The report adds that Spurs also mainatian an interest in South Korean defender Kim Min-jae, although Ferrari  would be considered less of a gamble.


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UNITED FACE RIVALS FOR MIDFIELD TARGET

Denis Zakaria TEAMtalk

Manchester United and Chelsea will have to contend with Manchester City for the signature of Denis Zakaria in January. (Daily Star)

Lyon’s Houssem Aouar has claimed he has no regrets over his failed summer move to Arsenal. (Daily Mirror)

Anthony Martial is a major doubt for Manchester United’s crunch Champions League game against PSG. (Daily Mirror)

Chelsea want to sign Bayern Munich’s David Alaba and a bid will come as early as January. (Daily Express)

John Terry is a contender to be the next Derby manager, with key figures among the club’s prospective new owners impressed by the former England captain, who is now assistant coach at Aston Villa. (Daily Mail)

David de Gea had a scan on his knee on Monday ahead of Manchester United’s Champions League meeting with PSG. (Daily Mail)

AND MORE GOSSIP

Giroud.Hudson.Odoi_.Chelsea.TEAMtalk

 

Inter Milan want to sign Chelsea’s Olivier Giroud in January on a six-month loan deal with an option to buy. (Daily Mail)

Newcastle were forced to cancel training on Monday and have closed the club’s Benton headquarters amid a Covid-19 outbreak – leaving Friday’s trip to Aston Villa in doubt. (Daily Mail)

Liverpool will be able to sign Ajax defender Perr Schuurs if they offer £27m for the 21-year-old. (Liverpool Echo)

Barcelona will be fined €3,000 (£2,692) for Lionel Messi’s tribute to Diego Maradona after scoring in the win over Osasuna. (The Independent)

Hakim Ziyech has said that Chelsea’s players believe they can win the Premier League title this season. (Daily Telegraph)

Pep Guardiola has told Benjamin Mendy that he faces stern competition from Joao Cancelo for his Man City place. (The Times)

Promotion chasers Hearts have published their annual accounts for 2020 – posting a small profit despite the raging Covid crisis. (Daily Record)