Tottenham gifted chance to sign “one of the best defenders in modern football”

Tottenham have been gifted the chance to sign long time target Alessandro Bastoni, according to a report from TalkSPORT, with the Italy international urged to leave Serie A after costing his team in their World Cup qualifier defeat to Bosnia.

Bastoni sent off as Italy slump out of World Cup

Italy failed to qualify for a third World Cup in a row after Bastoni’s first-half red card proved costly in a dramatic 4-1 penalty shoot-out defeat away to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Azzurri substitutes Pio Esposito and Bryan Cristante missed from 12 yards in Zenica, allowing Esmir Bajraktarevic to convert the hosts’ winning spot-kick following a 1-1 draw after extra-time.

Having failed to reach Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022, four-time champions Italy are the first former winners to miss out on three consecutive World Cups.

Gennaro Gattuso’s side were on course to progress when Moise Kean capitalised on an error from Bosnia goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj to claim a 15th-minute opener. But, following Bastoni’s 41st-minute dismissal for a last-man foul on Amar Memic, substitute Haris Tabakovic levelled in the 79th minute.

Gattuso has since left his role with the national team, while Bosnia will join Group B alongside co-hosts Canada, Qatar and Switzerland.

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Bastoni told to leave Serie A amid Tottenham links

According to TalkSPORT, Tottenham’s opportunity to finally land a deal for Bastoni may have just fallen right into their laps, provided they escape relegation of course.

The 26-year-old had already come under scrutiny this year for his behaviour in a match between Inter and Juventus, in which he celebrated diving to get Juve’s Pierre Kalulu sent off, and was booed by fans in his next match.

Now, ex-Italy and Inter star Giuseppe Bergomi has told the centre-back to leave the country for his own good.

TalkSPORT name Tottenham among the suitors should a deal materialise, with the Lilywhites known to be long-term admirers of the defender due in part to the influence of former director Fabio Paratici.

Bastoni is largely regarded as one of the best centre-backs in the world and is just as comfortable playing in a back three or four, so would be an elite weapon for Roberto De Zerbi to have in his arsenal ahead of his first full campaign as Spurs boss next season.