Tottenham want versatile star to help solve a number of issues - and he's valued at just £21m: report

Ange Postecoglou Tottenham Hotspur manager fist pumps the crowd at the Stadium
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Tottenham are looking to kill two birds with one stone in the summer transfer window by signing a versatile player from abroad at a reduced cost.

With PSRs limiting spending by Premier League clubs, Tottenham are attempting to work around that as best they can by bringing in a player who can play a number of key positions in the team.

And, after suffering a multitude of injuries earlier in the campaign, providing back-up to a number of positions could prove a smart decision from the Spurs hierarchy. 

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou consoles Micky van de Ven after the Dutch defender is forced off against Aston Villa in March 2024.

Injuries have been a problem for Spurs this term (Image credit: Getty Images)

According to Italian outlet Tuttosport, Tottenham are interesting in signing Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori, who has impressed with his performances in Serie A this season. 

The report suggests that Spurs will need to battle for Calafiori's signature with Juventus, though their financial muscle could outweigh the Old Lady's this summer, therefore improving Postecoglou's side's chances of concluding a deal.

While Calafiori has thrived playing as a central defender this season, the 21-year-old is just as capable of playing at left-back and left-wing-back, having only moved centrally this season under Bologna manager Thiago Motta. And Motta has been particularly impressed with the Italian's quick learning of the position, suggesting he has even more room to grow, develop and improve in the coming years.

Tottenham target Riccardo Calafiori of Bologna FC in action during the Serie A TIM match between Bologna FC and US Salernitana at Stadio Renato Dall'Ara on April 01, 2024 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Calafiori is on Spurs' radar (Image credit: Getty Images)

"He has technical, physical and mental qualities, he is a courageous boy who sets up the game well and can still improve given that he has only been playing in this position for a limited time," Motta said.

Tottenham, as a result, could address key issues in their defence with the signing of Calafiori this summer. While Mickey van de Ven and Destiny Udogie are the team's preferred starters at left-back and left-centre-back, injuries to the squad has meant that makeshift options have had to fill in over the course of the season. Calafiori's versatility, though, would enable greater trust in those positions if changes need to happen.

Plus, Transfermarkt values him at just £21m, meaning he's available for a fairly cheap price in today's market. While he will still have three years remaining on his Bologna deal in the summer, in FourFourTwo's view this is a move that would make sense for all parties. 

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Ryan Dabbs
Staff writer

Ryan is a staff writer for FourFourTwo, joining the team full-time in October 2022. He first joined Future in December 2020, working across FourFourTwo, Golf Monthly, Rugby World and Advnture's websites, before eventually earning himself a position with FourFourTwo permanently. After graduating from Cardiff University with a degree in Journalism and Communications, Ryan earned a NCTJ qualification to further develop as a writer while a Trainee News Writer at Future.