Tottenham firm up summer plans for £40m defender they’ll move for irrespective of Conte future
Tottenham Hotspur have revived their interest in a Serie A defender whom they are willing to move for whether Antonio Conte stays or goes, according to a report.
Strengthening in defence is an obvious need for Tottenham ahead of the summer transfer window. But in terms of specific targets, they might be best off waiting to be sure of who their head coach will be next season.
Current leader Conte will be out of contract at the end of this campaign. Therefore, he may leave, prompting the appointment of a new manager with different ideas.
Still, Spurs seem to have found at least one defensive target for whom their interest will not depend on Conte’s future.
According to a report from Italy, Tottenham are renewing their interest in Roma centre-back, Roger Ibanez. The update comes a few days after similar claims about his teammate, Gianluca Mancini.
The source of the Ibanez news is ForzaRoma.info, a website oriented on the Serie A side. It is claimed that Tottenham “have knocked on the door again” for the Brazilian, “regardless of Conte”.
Perhaps their interest might stem from the other Italian key decision maker at the club, director of football, Fabio Paratici.
In order to sign Ibanez – who has been a regular starter on the left-hand side of Jose Mourinho’s back three this season, despite being right footed – Spurs would have to offer somewhere in the region of €45million to €50m.
Thus, Ibanez could cost somewhere between £40m and £44m. Roma are already aware that they won’t be able to receive the value of Ibanez’s release clause, which is €80m (just over £70m).
Yet they feel he has done enough to warrant a valuation of up to €50m, taking into account the fact that he is now emerging into the Brazil national team.
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West Ham rival Tottenham for Roger Ibanez
Other than Tottenham, there is also said to be interest in Ibanez from West Ham United. It has been a tougher season over in east London, despite some additions to their squad last summer.
Defenders such as Nayef Aguerd and Thilo Kehrer were among the players West Ham brought in for the new season. However, they are in the bottom half of the Premier League table and may need to reinvest.
Ibanez could be a gettable target, since Roma might have to sacrifice him to meet Financial Fair Play guidelines. Whether Tottenham or West Ham will bid highest, only time will tell.
This season, Ibanez has played 33 times in all competitions for Roma, doing so as a starter each time. He has started 24 of their 25 Serie A matches so far, only missing one through suspension.
The 24-year-old’s contract in the Italian capital, where he has been since January 2020 after joining from Atalanta, is due to last until 2025.
In other news, talks involving a Tottenham star certain to leave this summer and his potential next club have intensified.
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