Word stemming from the Italian media on Saturday points towards the transfer team at AC Milan making contact with their counterparts at Premier League outfit Tottenham Hotspur.
The reasoning behind such advances? The situation of Japhet Tanganga.
Defender Tanganga, it is understood, has been identified as a potential addition to Stefano Pioli’s squad ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.
This comes with Milan in need of fresh blood at centre-half, and having been forced to move onto alternative targets on the back of first-choice target Sven Botman sealing a move to Newcastle United.
Inspired by the success enjoyed by Fikayo Tomori across his stint in Italy to date, the Serie A champions are therefore keen to take a punt on another once so highly-regarded English stopper.
As per a report from Daniele Longo of Calciomercato, Paolo Maldini and co. are hopeful of striking a loan with option to buy deal for the Tottenham star.
A more ‘operational phase’, in turn, will be kicked into gear next week, as the Rossoneri go about establishing the kind of figures likely to be involved.
? #Milan, primi contatti con il #Tottenham per #Tanganga: apertura al prestito e si inizia a parlare di cifre. Nella prossima settimana si entrerà in una fase più operativa. Japhet una opzione ma non l’unica, dettagli su @cmdotcom
— Daniele Longo (@86_longo) July 16, 2022
This past season, of course, proved an altogether difficult one for Tanganga.
Sitting behind the likes of Cristian Romero, Eric Dier and the rejuvenated Ben Davies in the central defensive pecking order on the Lilywhite half of north London, the 23-year-old was afforded just 10 Premier League starts.
With Clement Lenglet having since added further to Antonio Conte’s options, and Spurs understood to remain on the lookout for yet further options at the back, a summer switch to Italy for Tanganga may therefore represent the best solution for all parties.
Revealed: The fee Arsenal and Manchester City have agreed on for Oleksandr Zinchenko
Saturday’s transfer rumours: Lewandowski, Koundé, Zinchenko, Broja & more