Tottenham Hotspur have put Giorgio Scalvini on their transfer shortlist heading into the January window...

What's the word?

That's according to Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport (via Sport Witness), who claim that the 19-year-old's breakthrough at Serie A outfit Atalanta has caught the attention of Spurs in recent months.

The teenager, dubbed a "child prodigy" of his manager Gian Piero Gasperini, is a target for some big teams in the Premier League, including defending champions Manchester City and Liverpool.

Antonio Conte's former side, Inter Milan, are also keen but La Dea currently value him in excess of €40m (£35m), so if the Lilywhites want to sign him at the turn of the year, they'll have to pay a pretty penny for the 6 foot 4 centre-back.

Conte's next Bastoni?

Such impressive form at domestic level has seen Scalvini pick up three caps for Italy under Roberto Mancini and it's easy to see why he, as well as Pep Guardiola, Jurgen Klopp and Conte would be so interested in his signature at such a young age.

The teen gem has excelled as a ball-playing option in the heart of defence but he's also capable of playing in defensive midfield - and when compared to his positional peers across Europe's elite divisions, he ranks very favourably.

Indeed, as per FBref, the Atalanta wonderkid sits within the top 1% for expected non-penalty goals and assists (0.22), as well as the top 3% for tackles (2.7), the top 4% for shot-creating actions (1.45), the top 7% for interceptions (2.17) and the top 14% for progressive passes (3.49) per 90.

This not only highlights his ability as a tough defender, clearly being able to read the game so well for such a young talent, but also just how much of a supreme option he is with the ball at his feet, so much so that he can create chances for his side further up the pitch.

Conte doesn't have the best track record when it comes to trusting youngsters to start every week, though during his time at the San Siro, he did rely on a young centre-back by the name of Alessandro Bastoni, 23.

The duo helped steer the Nerazzurri to their first Scudetto in over a decade, so the Italian head coach may look to reform such a partnership here in north London.

Of course, Spurs have failed in their attempts to lure the Inter star to N17, so Scalvini - who Fabrizio Romano described as a "top talent" - could be his next Bastoni instead.

In fact, the Italy international has even been compared to his compatriot by Gasperini, having also been at Atalanta once in his career. "He can be new version of Bastoni," he said.

Paying at least £35m for a 19-year-old could be a risk for sporting director Fabio Paratici to make but perhaps one that must be made in a bid to bolster Conte's squad for a challenge on all fronts in 2023.

Scalvini, who has been "eye-catching" in the words of GOAL journalist Tom Maston, would be a fine investment for the future and one that could help Conte achieve his goals at Tottenham.

AND in other news, Spurs could seal Conte a dream Emerson upgrade in January swoop for £40m "special talent"...