Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City have reportedly suffered a blow in their pursuit of Inter Milan centre-back Alessandro Bastoni.
The 23-year-old has been an established first-team regular for the Nerazzurri over the past three-and-a-half seasons, notching up a total of 134 appearances across all competitions.
Bastoni was an integral member of the Inter side that won the 2020-21 Serie A title under the tutelage of former head coach Antonio Conte, who is now in charge at Spurs.
Indeed, Conte is still an admirer of the Italy international, while a number of other top European clubs including Man City and Manchester United have also been credited with an interest.
Bastoni recently revealed that he held talks with Tottenham during the summer transfer window and believes that he made the right decision to remain at San Siro.
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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," Bastoni told reporters via Fabrizio Romano.
Spurs are still believed to hold an interest in Bastoni, but any interested clubs have now seemingly been dealt a blow in their pursuit of the defender, as Gazzetta Dello Sport claims he has opened talks with Inter over a new contract.
Bastoni will see his current deal expire in June 2024, but the report adds that Inter have offered the centre-back a new three-year extension worth £3.9m per season until the summer of 2027.
The Nerazzurri are understood to have made their offer during a meeting with Bastoni's agents and both parties are expected to resume negotiations in the coming weeks.
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While Bastoni is looking to commit his future to San Siro, fellow centre-backs Milan Skriniar and Stefan de Vrij are facing uncertain futures at the club as their contracts are due to expire at the end of the season.
Skriniar, 27, has attracted interest from a host of top European clubs including Spurs, Man United, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid, with the defender at risk of becoming a free agent next summer.
De Vrij, meanwhile, is another Inter defender on Conte's radar, with one report claiming that Spurs are leading the race for his signature, while the likes of Aston Villa and Leicester City are also prepared to battle for the 30-year-old Dutchman.
All three central defenders have reported back to training ahead of Inter's mid-season friendly against Reggina on Thursday, while their Serie A campaign will resume away against Sassuolo on December 29.
Oliver Thomas
