Tottenham gaze turns to Roger Ibanez amid achievable fee, with Roma set to rival West Ham for successor
Tottenham have turned their attention to a potential move for Roma’s Roger Ibanez as they widen their search for a centre-back, according to a report.
Spurs are looking to beef up their ranks all across the pitch as they aim for another season of progress. Tottenham qualified for next term’s Champions League, but cannot slow down if they want to continue to compete at the top level.
As a result, Tottenham boss Antonio Conte has brought in Ivan Perisic, a key ally he worked with at Inter.
Spurs have also solved their back-up goalkeeper problem, with Fraser Forster replacing Pierluigi Gollini in that role.
A third major priority for Conte and Tottenham is a new centre-back. Inter’s Alessandro Bastoni has emerged as the key target, with Torino’s Gleison Bremer also on the shortlist.
According to Calciomercato, though, Bremer’s fellow Brazilian Ibanez is another star on the north London club’s radar.
The report claims that Conte has always had a ‘watchful eye’ on the 23-year-old. Tottenham have also had long-term interest in Ibanez and were linked in last summer’s transfer window.
Skipping forward to the current market, Roma are willing to lose Ibanez, but only for €30million (£25million).
Given that Inter value Bastoni at between £51million and £60million, he is a much more achievable target. Or, he could be a cheaper alternative if a deal for Bastoni doesn’t work out.
Roma eye West Ham target if Ibanez leaves
Ibanez was a standout star for Jose Mourinho’s Roma last season. He played all 13 Europa Conference League matches to lead his side to triumph in the final against Feyenoord.
While Roma only managed a sixth-placed Serie A finish, Ibanez played 34 league games and was nevertheless vital.
Having joined Roma permanently from Atalanta last summer, his contract runs until 2025.
However, should Ibanez depart this summer, Calciomercato points to Arthur Theate of Bologna as a successor target.
West Ham have interest in the Belgian alongside Rennes’ Nayef Aguerd.
Serie A is happy Tottenham hunting ground
It is clear that Conte and Tottenham director of football Fabio Paratici are targeting players from Serie A to bolster Spurs’ ranks.
Their top three centre-back targets are all starring in the Italian top flight, while Perisic signed from Inter.
Conte signed Juventus pair Rodrigo Bentancur and Dejan Kulusevski in January. They starred in Spurs’ Premier League top-four push that has created the excitement for the club’s summer transfer activity.
Conte knows he needs to beef up his ranks for his side to continue competing and it would not be a surprise to see one – or more – recruits come from Serie A.
