Tottenham Hotspur
Premier League • England
Conte returns for Serie A ace as Tottenham offer ‘more convincing’ deal – but Villa still lurking
Tottenham have reportedly tabled an improved bid for Juventus star Rodrigo Bentancur but Aston Villa have not given up hope of landing the midfielder.
Spurs have struggled to acquire their targets during the current transfer window. And it was reported on Friday that Fabio Paratici was hoping to lure two Juve stars to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The duo in question are Dejan Kulusevski and Bentancur.
The latter had already been linked with Villa as Steven Gerrard continues to work his magic in the West Midlands. And it emerged that Spurs were looking to do a loan deal for the Uruguay international.
That was rejected by the Old Lady who are seeking a permanent exit for the South American. Sky in Italy claim Juve also rejected a bid in the region of £20.5m from the Villans.
It is said Villa offered around £16.5m, with more than £4m in bonuses. But the Italian giants are seeking at least £21m up front before they even engage in dialogue over the schemer.
Journalist Gianluca Di Marzio (via Sport Witness) suggests there has already been a ‘new offer from Tottenham’ for Bentancur. The north Londoners’ offer is now ‘more convincing’, per the report.
Details are sketchy but Spurs look to have taken the hint and have tabled an offer ‘other than a loan’. And it seems the capital outfit are prepared to pay €30m for the former Boca Juniors star.
That figure would be enough to get a deal done but Villa are not finished yet.
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Villa preparing new Bentancur bid
Gerrard’s ability to recruit top-name stars has worked wonders at Villa. The former Rangers chief has already brought in Philippe Coutinho and Lucas Digne this month.
Arsenal defender Calum Chambers has also joined along with goalkeeper Robin Olsen. But the ex-Liverpool ace has his eyes firmly on Bentancur.
Gerrard’s former Reds team-mate Luis Suarez recently endorsed Villa’s attempt to sign his compatriot. And the reports states that the Villa Park side will return with another bid ‘in the coming hours’.
They will need to match Tottenham’s offer if they are to secure the defensive midfielder. Spurs are eager to get at least one deal done before the window shuts.
They have missed out on the likes of Adama Traore and Luis Diaz. Daniel Levy has, according to The Telegraph, “pressed the panic button” with the assault on Juventus.
There is no panic at Aston Villa as Gerrard’s influence sees them moving in the right direction post Jack Grealish.
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