Tottenham Transfer News: Spurs threatening to beat Barca to star defender

Tottenham Hotspur have been named as one of the clubs linked with defeating Barcelona in a transfer race for a top Serie A defender.

The Lilywhites can be expected to be busy in January after ending 2025 with little to show for the momentum gained by winning the Europa League in May.

Thomas Frank’s side have won just six of their opening 16 matches this term, sitting in the bottom half as they prepare to face Liverpool as a result.

Therefore, it would not be surprising to see Spurs dip into the transfer market to improve their squad as we approach the second half of the season.

And with the rumour mill in full flow, a new report has claimed the north Londoners could be in a position to beat European heavyweights Barcelona to a long-admired transfer target.

According to Fichajes, Tottenham, alongside Chelsea and Saudi outfit Al-Hilal, have emerged as candidates for Inter centre-back Alessandro Bastoni, who has become a hot Barcelona transfer target in recent weeks.

Bastoni, a two-time Serie A champion with Inter, has been linked to Spurs before, most notably in the summer of 2022 as Antonio Conte was preparing to take his side into the Champions League.

The 41-cap Italy international appears to be back on the agenda at Hotspur Way, though Barcelona’s interest has been most stated of late.

However, there is every chance Spurs could successfully reignite their interest in the 26-year-old Bastoni, as this latest report notes how Barcelona’s approach may not be straightforward.

It tells of how Barca president Joan Laporta is fully aware that the club’s finances make bringing Bastoni to Camp Nou somewhat complicated.

This could allow Tottenham to swoop in, with their current defenders becoming known more for their goalscoring exploits than their defending this season.

Fichajes states that Bastoni is being closely monitored in N17, and that the Premier League ‘appeals’ to him.

However, there are reasons for fans to temper their expectations. One is that the offer would reportedly have to be ‘top-tier’, while other sources have already suggested that Bastoni is not keen on Spurs or Chelsea in the first place.

Graduated in Sport Journalism (BA) with first-class honours from the University of Brighton and has since had bylines in The Times, sports business publication SportsPro, Football FanCast and The Gooner fanzine.