Tottenham are said to be eyeing a reported West Ham target this summer.
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Tottenham are said to be ready to battle West Ham for a centre-back this summer, reportedly already working on their transfer plans despite not having a manager in place. Spurs do make some of their recruitment decisions above the manager, and many of the summer targets will already have been lined up ahead of the summer, although a new manager will get his say on incomings and outgoings.
Spurs need much more depth going into next season, especially being in the Champions League, and one of the positions they could do with bolstering is centre-back, a position that was starved in the wake of injuries last term.
Ben Davies has penned a new contract that keeps him around for another year, but Tottenham will likely sign a centre-back this summer, particularly with Cristian Romero’s future in doubt.
According to CaughtOffside, Tottenham are interested in a deal for Juventus centre-back Federico Gatti, who has been with the Italian side since 2022, making 80 league appearances. It’s claimed the Serie A side could sell the defender in the wake of Financial Fair Play issues. It’s claimed Juve would want around £29million to agree a sale.
That’s a fee Tottenham can afford, especially after qualifying for the Champions League, and Romero would go for much more than that if he does end up moving on. As for West Ham, that is a very big fee to pay in the absence of European football, but they are expected to strengthen at centre-back this summer.
Gatti on his time at Juventus
Speaking to Tuttosport last year about how he has adapted playing for a top club, Gatti said: “ I’ve gained personality, which is given by playing time, experience and errors. One reason I am grateful to Allegri is that he gave me the chance to grow. It’s hard when you go on the sidelines after an error, but he’s given me playing time and this allowed me to become a better footballer. It’s normal to grow at Juventus, I learn something new every day. I must still improve in the build-up.”
Asked what he can improve on, the centre-back added: “I get extra motivation when I hear the fans pushing. One thing I must work on, and I often speak with Allegri about it, is how to handle energy. I spend so much that sometimes I feel breathless for a few minutes. However, it is better to have too much power than nothing at all.
“I was lucky enough to play and score in the reverse fixture. I experience the derby adrenaline more during the week than during the match when I focus only on what I must do.”
Speaking to DAZN about making the step up to Juve, the defender said: “Of course, my life has changed, also because here you have to take care of every single detail, both on and off the pitch. At Juventus, you have to take care of every single moment of your day. At the beginning it takes some time, but with the trust that the coach, the club and my team-mates are giving me, I can only grow.”