Inter Milan centre-back Alessandro Bastoni has revealed that he was in contact with Tottenham Hotspur during the summer transfer window.
The 23-year-old has established a reputation as one of the top young centre-backs in world football and was a prominent member of Antonio Conte's 2020-21 title-winning side.
Following Conte and Fabio Paratici's switches to North London last year, Bastoni was one of several Italy-based players linked with a move to the Lilywhites.
Manchester United and Manchester City were also thought to have been keeping tabs on Bastoni, but the centre-back's agent soon ruled out a summer exit from San Siro for his client.
Now, Bastoni has confirmed to Corriere dello Sport that Tottenham did touch base with him over a move, but he believes that he made the right decision by staying put in Italy.
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"There was some contact with Tottenham last summer, it's true but I'm happy with my choice. I'm happy here at Inter," Fabrizio Romano quotes Bastoni as saying.
The Italy international came through the youth ranks at Atalanta BC before joining Inter as an 18-year-old in 2017, which cost the Nerazzurri €31.1m (£26.7m).
Bastoni has since amassed three goals and 11 assists in 134 appearances for Inter in all competitions, and he started 33 games under Conte in their 2020-21 Scudetto-winning campaign.
During the 2022-23 campaign, Bastoni has set up three goals in 16 matches for Simone Inzaghi's side, although he has been an unused substitute in four Serie A matches.
The 23-year-old is also only under contract at San Siro until 2024, but Inter are expected to try to tie him down to new-and-improved terms to ward off Premier League interest.
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Bastoni's two centre-back partners, Stefan de Vrij and Milan Skriniar, are also facing uncertain futures at Inter Milan, as both could depart as free agents at the end of the season.
Inter are believed to be willing to let De Vrij leave, and the Dutchman - who is currently at the 2022 World Cup with the Netherlands - is another defender reported to be on Conte's radar.
Aston Villa, Leicester City and Atletico Madrid have also been tipped to battle for De Vrij, while Skriniar was the subject of interest from Paris Saint-Germain over the summer before entering the final 12 months of his San Siro deal.
Real Madrid and Man United are also said to be monitoring the situation surrounding Skriniar, but Bastoni has called on the Slovakia international to stay put, adding: "I hope Milan Skriniar will stay here too."
Despite signing Clement Lenglet on loan from Barcelona, Tottenham are expected to pursue a new centre-back in the January transfer window, while a new striker and right-wing back are also said to be priorities for Conte.
Ben Knapton
