Tottenham have reportedly drawn up a four-man defensive shortlist as they look to find a replacement for Ben Davies at left centre-back in the summer.
Antonio Conte has demanded that the Spurs hierarchy back him and his transfer plans in the summer, threatening on several times to walk away if his ‘vision’ isn’t matched by action in the window, and it seems as though Daniel Levy and Fabio Paratici are at least in part ready to agree to his demands.
Some of the Tottenham players fear Conte could walk next month if he is not backed with new signings to improve the squad during the remainder of this January transfer window.
[Alasdair Gold]
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One of those is thought to be a new left-sided centre-back, with Ben Davies playing there at present but being a full-back by trade and, while comfortable in the position, it is certainly one that the club could improve on.
As per The Athletic, there are four options for the club, not including Villarreal’s Pau Torres, who Spurs remain keen on after his rejection of the club last summer, with the Spaniard looking set to do so again.
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Four names emerge
Conte could therefore be ready to return to raid Inter Milan for high-performing centre-back Andrea Bastoni if he becomes available, as he is reportedly the name atop the Tottenham list for defensive reinforcements.
Meanwhile, another name on their list seems unlikely, with Lille centre-back Sven Botman seemingly on his way to AC Milan in the summer following promising talks with the San Siro side, perhaps suggesting that Tottenham have waited too late to chase a move for the Dutchman.
This leaves Nico Schlotterbeck, a centre-back excelling for SC Freiburg in the Bundesliga, as the most likely option to improve the Spurs defence, as he will in all likelihood be far cheaper than alternatives on this list.
