Transfer Centre

Tottenham Hotspur planning double January swoop for Bastoni, Torres?

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 15 November 2022

Tottenham planning double January swoop for Bastoni, Torres?

Tottenham Hotspur reportedly plot a £105m double swoop for Inter Milan's Alessandro Bastoni and Villarreal's Pau Torres in the January transfer window.

Tottenham Hotspur could reportedly look to pull off a £105m double swoop for Inter Milan's Alessandro Bastoni and Villarreal's Pau Torres in January.

Antonio Conte's side enjoyed a bright start to the 2022-23 season, keeping pace with Arsenal and Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table.

However, the Lilywhites have since fallen off the pace and enter the World Cup break fourth in the rankings, having been leapfrogged by Newcastle United.

Tottenham have only won three of their last eight games in all competitions, but they did qualify for the last 16 of the Champions League as group winners following a dramatic win over Marseille.

Injuries to attacking players Dejan Kulusevski, Son Heung-min and Richarlison have harmed Tottenham significantly, while Cristian Romero's recent absence from defence has been felt too.

Spain's Pau Torres pictured on June 2, 2022 © Reuters

Attention has now turned to the January transfer window for Conte, who is thought to be keen to bring in a new central defender to compete with Romero, Eric Dier, Clement Lenglet, Ben Davies and Japhet Tanganga.

According to GIVEMESPORT, Bastoni and Torres are two names high on Conte's wishlist, and Tottenham could end up paying in excess of £100m to sign the pair in January.

Bastoni starred under Conte in Inter's 2020-21 Serie A-winning campaign and was linked with a move to North London in the summer before remaining at San Siro.

The 23-year-old has not been a consistent starter for the Nerazzurri this term, though, featuring on nine occasions from the off in Serie A, and his contract expires in 2024.

However, the report adds that Inter are giving no consideration to a mid-season sale, which could force Tottenham to put their pursuit of the Italy international on hold until the summer.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte looks dejected on November 6, 2022 © Reuters

Villarreal and Spain defender Torres has supposedly been earmarked as an ideal alternative, having become a regular for the Yellow Submarine during Unai Emery's time in charge.

The Spain international was a key figure in Villarreal's run to the Europa League trophy in the 2020-21 season, and he also scored five goals in 33 La Liga outings last term.

As is the case with Bastoni, Torres is also due to become a free agent in under two years' time, so Villarreal could be pressured into a sale if he chooses not to extend his contract.

Arsenal and Manchester United have previously been linked with a move for the 25-year-old, while Emery is thought to be keen to reunite with the centre-back at Aston Villa.

A new attacker is also said to be on Tottenham's agenda for the January, and the North London club have reportedly been scouting Borussia Monchengladbach's Marcus Thuram and Borussia Dortmund's Youssoufa Moukoko this season.