Tottenham are looking to step up their plans to bolster at the back this summer with Atalanta man Giorgio Scalvini a top transfer target for the north London side, reports TEAMtalk.
Spurs are enduring a disappointing campaign with the capital outfit battling to stave off the threat of relegation.
A 13-game winless run has seen the 2025 Europa League winners plummet down the Premier League table and they face the very real possibility of dropping into the Championship.
De Zerbi wants Italian defender
Spurs made the decision to part ways with Igor Tudor at the end of March and bring in Roberto De Zerbi, the Italian the club’s third manager of the season.
And one of De Zerbi’s top defensive targets in Scalvini, who has long been linked with a move to the Premier League.
Liverpool and Newcastle have previously been credited with an interest in the imperious Atalanta man.
However, neither have made a move for the talented 22-year-old with Spurs now hoping to pip their Premier League rivals to the youngster.
Top-flight safety key
Much is dependent on whether Spurs can retain their Premier League status with De Zerbi’s priority to keep the club in the top-flight.
Even so, with question marks over the future of star centre-backs Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero, Spurs are eyeing up defensive targets.
Scalvini isn’t the only centre-back the club are keeping tabs on with Brighton’s Jan Paul van Hecke another option for De Zerbi’s side.
Vuskovic tipped for prominent role
Luka Vuskovic, who is on loan at Bundesliga side Hamburg, will also return to the club later this year.
And despite interest from German giants Bayern Munich and defending La Liga champions Barcelona, the Croatia international is expected back at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this summer.
De Zerbi will oversee his first game as Spurs boss this weekend when he takes his team to the Stadium of Light to face Sunderland.