Fabio Paratici is closing in on a deal to bring Alessandro Bastoni to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this summer.

What's the talk?

Transfer Focus

That's according to a report by Italian publication Corriere della Sera (via Sport Witness), who claim that, following Ivan Perisic's move from Inter Milan to Spurs, there is now a good chance the 23-year-old defender follows the Croatia international to north London.

Further reports also claim that the Tottenham sporting director has sent unmistakable signals of intent to the Serie A side regarding a £54m deal for the Italy international, while Alasdair Gold recently revealed that Spurs "believe that they’ll be able to sort out wages and the fee for Bastoni" in the coming weeks.

"Heir to Jan Vertonghen"

Considering just how exciting a talent Bastoni undoubtedly is, in addition to it being reported that the signing of a new ball-playing left-footed centre-back is one of Antonio Conte's priority targets in the summer transfer window, should Paratici go on to secure a deal for the Inter Milan starlet ahead of the club's 2022/23 campaign it would certainly represent something of a huge coup for Spurs.

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Indeed, according to FBref data, the £60m-rated defender ranks in the top 15% of centre-backs in Europe's big five leagues for pressures per 90, in addition to the top 14% for passes attempted, the top 25% for passes completed, the top 14% for progressive passes, the top 11% for progressive carries, the top 22% for dribbles completed and the top 3% for shot-creating actions over the last 365 days.

As such, it is easy to understand why Gold recently claimed that Spurs see the £122k-per-week talent as the "heir to Jan Vertonghen," as the 23-year-old's ability with the ball at his feet sees FBref rank him amongst some of the most prestigious ball-playing defenders in European football, such as Bayern Munich's Dayot Upamecano and Girondins de Bordeaux starlet Anel Ahmedhodzic.

However, with the Italian still appearing to have doubts as to whether this summer is the right time to make a move to the Premier League, it would seem as if Paratici still has a job on his hands to convince Bastoni that Tottenham is the right club for him - although, considering the centre-back's ability, these efforts will be more than worth it if his transfer is eventually agreed.

AND in other news: Paratici can seal "complete" Spurs signing in £68m bid for Van Dijk's worst nightmare