Tottenham are still the front runners in the race to sign Bologna defender Takehiro Tomiyasu before next week’s transfer deadline, according to reports. The 22-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to north London over the last few months, with Spurs director Fabio Paratici understood to be a keen admirer.
Tomiyasu established himself as one of Serie A’s finest young defenders with Bologna last season, making 33 appearances in all competitions.
He is equally comfortable at full-back or centre-back, with his versatility making him an attractive option for Spurs boss Nuno Espirito Santo as he looks to strengthen his defensive ranks.
The club have already welcomed Atalanta’s Cristian Romero on a season-long loan deal, but the signing of another defensive reinforcement looks to be on the cards with just five days left for clubs to do business.
Spurs have been tracking Tomiyasu since before the Tokyo Olympics, at which he represented the host nation and played every minute of their football campaign.
The prospect of a move eventually fizzled out, but it seems as though Paratici will be looking to go back in for the Bologna man’s services over the coming days.
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Spurs remain ‘in pole position’ for Tomiyasu but could face stiff competition from the likes of Leicester City and West Ham United, according to Gazzetta Dello Sport.
The report claims that Bologna have set their asking price at around £19.7million, with Paratici ‘insistent’ on pushing through a move before the transfer window slams shut.
Tomiyasu is believed to be excited by the idea of plying his trade in the Premier League, with his personal verdict on the proposed switch set to be decisive.
It remains to be seen whether Spurs will be able to strike an agreement with Bologna in the final few days of the transfer window.
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Paratici has also negotiated the signings of winger Bryan Gil and goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini alongside Romero since the beginning of the summer.
Meanwhile, Italian football expert Conor Clancy recently tipped Tomiyasu to exceed expectations in the event of a move to Spurs, with his all-round ability standing him in good stead to thrive either as a central defender or at right-back.
“He surprised me last season,” Clancy told This Is Futbol earlier this month.
“I think it was against Atalanta that he scored a really nice goal, and I didn’t think he had that in his locker.
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“He just keeps proving to people that he has more than people believe. His crossing is good, his positioning is good. He is solid.
“Spurs signed Reguilon last year and he took people by surprise, and I think if Tomiyasu was to go he would be a similar thing.”
Tomiyasu has made a total of 63 appearances for Bologna since joining the club from Belgian side Sint-Truiden in the summer of 2019.