Tottenham tempted to sign €30m Roma defender before Postecoglou start date after Mourinho nightmare

Tottenham Hotspur have been given a window of opportunity to sign Roger Ibanez from Roma to bolster the defence Ange Postecoglou is inheriting.

That’s according to various sources in Italy, which have confirmed Tottenham are one of the likeliest candidates to sign Ibanez. A transfer will have to happen this month for Roma because of Financial Fair Play guidelines.

The Serie A side were previously basing their summer strategy on selling English striker Tammy Abraham. However, his ACL injury has ruled out that solution and now they are desperately weighing up who else they will have to sacrifice.

Ibanez, long linked with Tottenham, has become the biggest candidate to leave. The deal would deprive Jose Mourinho of one of his regular Roma starters, but there are barely any alternatives for the Europa League runners up.

According to sources such as La Gazzetta Dello Sport and Sport Mediaset, Tottenham are among the main contenders to sign the Brazil international.

The latest from Sky Sport Italia has revealed that a deal can be done for around €30m (£25.8m).

Time is ticking if Tottenham want to beat the competition – such as Atletico Madrid – because Roma have to sell him by the end of the month.

Technically, that means Ibanez could become a Tottenham player before Ange Postecoglou officially starts work with the club. Spurs have announced that Postecoglou will become their new manager, effective from July 1.

Defence is one of the main areas of the Tottenham squad that has let down Postecoglou’s predecessors. Therefore, if a move for Ibanez goes ahead, they will be hoping that he can adapt to the Premier League.

Tottenham secure discount for Ibanez

Because of the urgency of the situation, Spurs might be able to sign Ibanez for less than he is really worth.

In Roma’s eyes, his market value all along should have been closer to €40m (£34.4m). But now, they have to accelerate any exit plans, providing Spurs with a potential discount.

In a further kick to the teeth of the Serie A side, who owe his former club Atalanta a sell-on clause of 10 percent of any transfer fee they receive before July 2024.

Obviously, they now expect Ibanez to leave before then – and his destination could be Tottenham.

The 24-year-old, who missed a penalty for his side after courageously stepping up in the Europa League final when Roma had withdrawn most of their attackers, has been comfortable playing in a back three during his time in Italy.

Tottenham used a similar system under Antonio Conte, but it remains to be seen how they will set up under Postecoglou, who preferred to use a back four at Celtic.

Whatever Spurs can expect tactically, Roma might now be pushing them to make a move for Ibanez if they are serious about signing him.

The former Fluminense talent has been in the Italian capital since January 2020 and should be under contract until the summer of 2025. Soon, though, he could be on his way to a club like Tottenham.

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