Tottenham Hotspur have been dealt a potential setback in their bid to bring Alessandro Bastoni to the Premier League in the January transfer window.

What's the talk?

Transfer Focus

That's according to Fabrizio Romano, with the Italian transfer insider revealing in a recent episode of the House of Champions podcast that, despite Antonio Conte's continued interest in a €50m (£44m) move the Inter Milan centre-back, from what he has been told, the 23-year-old will not be leaving Italy this winter.

Regarding the interest in the Italy international, the journalist said: "In terms of centre-backs, I see links to Bastoni.

"But, from what I'm told, Bastoni is not leaving Inter in January. They are in the next stage of the Champions League and I don't see them selling Bastoni in January, but I do see Tottenham going for a centre-back and maybe a midfielder [this winter]."

Blow for Conte

Considering how frequently Tottenham have been linked with a move for Bastoni since Conte's arrival at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium 12 months ago, coupled with the Italian's defence having been incredibly leaky in recent weeks - conceding an average of two goals per game over their last five fixtures - Romano's update on Bastoni is sure to come as a blow to the Italian.

Indeed, the 23-year-old was an integral part of the 53-year-old's title-winning side back in 2020/21, with the £53m-rated talent helping the Nerazzurri keep 14 clean sheets over his 33 Serie A appearances, as well as making an average of 1.2 interceptions, 1.1 tackles, 2.2 clearances and winning 3.8 duels - at a success rate of 58% - per game.

The £87k-per-week defender also impressed going forwards, registering three assists and creating three big chances for his teammates, in addition to making an average of 0.4 key passes, playing 4.6 long balls and completing 61.5 passes - at a success rate of 90% - per fixture.

These returns saw the 16-cap international - who Alasdair Gold claimed Spurs view as the "heir to Jan Vertonghen" - average a simply sensational SofaScore match rating of 7.11, ranking him as Inter's fifth-best performer in the top flight of Italian football that season.

As such, should Conte believe that he can help Bastoni refind this level of form following a switch to north London, it is evident that the Italian sensation would represent a fantastic addition to the 53-year-old's current options at the back.

However, Romano's latest update on the current situation of the 23-year-old would not appear very positive for the chances of the centre-back making a move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this winter, with it looking as if both Conte and Fabio Paratici will now have to turn their focus in January away from the Inter starlet.