Tottenham Hotspur and Atletico Madrid are reportedly ready to go head-to-head for the signature of Monaco centre-back Axel Disasi this summer.
The 24-year-old emerged onto the scene during his time with Reims and secured an £11.7m move to the Stade Louis II in the summer of 2020.
Disasi has since competed with Benoit Badiashile and Guillermo Maripan for starts in the Monegasques backline, but he featured regularly under Niko Kovac and Philippe Clement last term.
Disasi started 30 games for Monaco in the 2021-22 Ligue 1 season - wearing the captain's armband in eight of them - while he registered three goals in 45 games across all competitions.
Monaco secured a spot in the Champions League qualifiers thanks to Disasi's efforts, and the former France Under-21 international is under contract with the club until 2025.
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However, Spanish outlet Marca - via TEAMTalk - reports that both Tottenham and Atletico will attempt to prise the defender away from the Ligue 1 giants ahead of the 2022-23 season.
Spurs were understood to have been interested in a deal for Disasi while he plied his trade at Reims, but they were pipped to the centre-back's signature by Monaco.
The report adds that Spurs are now preparing to reopen negotiations with the former Paris FC youngster, and the Lilywhites have financial advantages when it comes to sealing a deal.
Diego Simeone's side will supposedly be forced to part ways with a couple of players to raise the necessary funds for Disasi, while Spurs have no need to do so.
Disasi now has six goals to boast from 80 games in a Monaco shirt, and Spurs boss Antonio Conte is known to be on the lookout for options to bolster his defence this summer.
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Inter Milan's Alessandro Bastoni was understood to have been Tottenham's primary defensive target, but the 23-year-old's agent has now affirmed that he will remain at San Siro.
Spurs are still thought to be scouring the Serie A market for defensive additions, and the club have allegedly submitted an enquiry over Roma centre-back Roger Ibanez.
Torino's Bremer has also been mentioned as a potential target, while the club could also attempt to strike a part-exchange deal for Villarreal's Pau Torres involving Giovani Lo Celso.
Conte has already welcomed Ivan Perisic and Fraser Forster to the club on free transfers, and a deal is believed to have been agreed to bring Djed Spence to the club from Middlesbrough for £20m.
The North London club have also been linked with a swoop for Everton striker Richarlison as Conte seeks to add backup and competition to star striker Harry Kane, who is not expected to push for a move away this summer.
Ben Knapton
