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Alasdair Gold

Inter situation to help Tottenham with Alessandro Bastoni plus new Antonio Conte contract talk

RJF10: "Do you think Alessandro Bastoni is just a thing of as and when and not if?"

Alasdair says: "This is purely my opinion and we're very early in the transfer window so things can change quickly, but I get the feeling that circumstances at Inter are working in Spurs' favour at the moment. They need money to address their attack, with Dybala a target and a Lukaku return considered, while at the back they also want to sign Bremer, a player Spurs also have on their centre-back list.

"They need funds because they're in a tough financial position and Bastoni is one of their best chances of raising those funds and he has just two years left on his contract so, unless he signs a new deal, this is the peak value they can get for him. The 23-year-old is happy at Inter at this point in his career, but I just wonder whether what's going on at the club ends up pushing him towards the door.

"His agent's comments this week seemed to suggest that could be a possibility. It's still very early days though and Spurs have other options, although both Conte and Paratici really like the big Inter defender. I think we need to get through the international period first, which makes it difficult to tie up deals and players can't fully focus on their decisions right now."

READ MORE: Pape Matar Sarr and the five Tottenham players who will benefit most from Conte's pre-season

potentiallunatic: "Are there any outgoings in the pipeline as far as you know? Any other clubs interested in Bergwijn and Lo Celso other than Ajax and Villareal respectively?"

Alasdair says: "Bergwijn has now come out publicly and said he wants to leave and Ajax will try to make that happen. Both Lo Celso and Emerson Royal have interest from La Liga clubs and Bryan Gil certainly will have if Spurs decide he needs to head out again this summer, either on loan or permanently. Harry Winks will not be short of offers as he seeks regular football next term and interest is building in Joe Rodon as he wants the same."

cdimmock17: "If we get in Bastoni, do you think we will try to also get an upgrade on Eric Dier too or just a backup centre back in case of heavy matchload with all of the fixtures?"

Alasdair says: "Conte loves Dier and thinks he can become one of the best centre-backs around. Conte does want at least two new centre-backs this summer, particularly with Rodon likely to move on for regular football while offers may well come in for Japhet Tanganga and Davinson Sanchez."

Jakep13: "Any validity to the Weston McKennie rumours? Thoughts on the chances of him actually signing with Tottenham?"

Alasdair says: "I know Paratici spoke to McKennie's representatives about a future move in January. If the USA international is available this summer then I would expect Spurs to test the water as he would tick a lot of boxes for the squad."

Jjqq: "If we try to sign Djed Spence, who from Emerson or Doherty is likely to go out. or maybe both? Are we trying to get Spence for back-up or starter?"

Alasdair says: "I get the impression at this stage that, if they sign the Boro man, it would be Doherty and Spence as the right wing-backs competing for the role as there's interest in Emerson and Doherty has proved that he can play the role as Conte wants it to be played. As for Spence, I understand that Spurs, Dortmund, Roma, Newcastle, Brentford and Forest are all willing to pay the fee Middlesbrough want and Tottenham are among the frontrunners, although those within Spurs say an official bid has not been made yet. Now it's pretty much just a case of Spence making his decision, which could be once he returns from England U21 duty in about 10 days' time. He wants to go to a club that he'll get regular football at and he's not believed to be interested in a buy to loan deal."

Oliver Grant: "With Wout Weghorst saying he will leave Burnley is he someone Spurs might look at or is he not the right profile of striker that they want?"

Alasdair says: "Weghorst has been linked with Spurs in the past. He would fit the target man profile although he's not a Harry Kane-type striker - although let's be honest few are. If he was a bargain price then Spurs might take a look at him but he wasn't on their original wishlist of strikers to sign as far as I'm aware. Much depends on how much football he expects next season and whether Spurs see him as able to fit Conte's system, which requires very mobile attackers."

TooDrippyX: "Is Fabio Paratici still in search of a second director of football?"

Alasdair says: "Paratici hasn't finalised his second in command yet from what I understand. I know final interviews were being held, with the person expected to be from abroad, but no appointment seems to have been made yet."

Stacey94:"Is there an update on Cameron Carter-Vickers, is it a done deal with Celtic yet?"

Alasdair says: "There's hasn't really been much of an update on that because Carter-Vickers is away with the USA at the moment. He's back on the international scene, which is very much deserved, and he came off the bench against Morocco in a friendly on Thursday. He's got three matches to go with them this month, including another friendly against Uruguay tonight which obviously gets in the way of some transfer activity.

"Again it's purely my opinion, but if Celtic pay the option and give Spurs the agreed price which is believed to be £6m, which could become £10m down the line with future add-ons, then Carter-Vickers has suggested he'd be happy to remain in Glasgow. He wants to leave Tottenham now and he's had a great season for Celtic and felt at home there with a manager who suits him well. It seems to be a move that fits all three parties."

Danny1984: "Do you think there is any truth in the Romelu Lukaku rumours? It seems a bit far fetched to me."

Alasdair says: "Conte loves him but I'd have my doubts over whether Chelsea would deal with Spurs and also whether Lukaku would feel he'd get to play week in, week out with Harry Kane at the club. He wouldn't be the main man. They may well be able to play together but what that would mean for Son and Kulusevski I don't know. It's a lot of money for a player who hasn't had the happiest time back in the Premier League. I just can't see Chelsea dealing with a London rival and their former manager, but who knows what could happen in this crazy summer."

keller: "In your opinion what are the negatives of having Antonio Conte as the Spurs boss?"

Alasdair says: "At the moment, there's not really much at all in the way of negatives because he's doing a superb job and he's also raising the level of the club with his own ambition. The negatives appear to sometimes show in the long term, with his emotions and demands at previous clubs. I can imagine he must be tough to manage as a club owner in the past!

"His European record as a manager particularly in the Champions League, with three wins from his past 15 matches in the competition, might well be something seen as a weakness on his otherwise impressive CV. Hopefully Spurs don't get to see many of the negatives in the months and years ahead."

NateS32: "What are your thoughts on maybe keeping five wing-backs in the squad this season? Perisic and Sessegnon on the left. Emerson and Spence on the right with Doherty capable of playing both sides."

Alasdair says: "I get your thinking but financially it doesn't make sense for Spurs because the funds for Emerson, with interested clubs in Spain, means they can strength other areas of the squad rather than overstuffing that one. Keeping them all would also mean one or two of them hardly playing any football."

Freddiee: "Is Conte likely to extend his contract with Spurs this window?"

Alasdair says: "I wouldn't rule it out, but one step at a time. Getting him to stay and be happy was an important first step. He's already one of the best paid managers in the Premier League with his current deal and there is an option, if he and the club both agree, to extend his current contract by another season. Let's see what happens if he's happy with the transfer window."

KyleU: "Is there any interest in Dybala. Where is Eriksen most likely to go or stay?"

Alasdair says: "I don't believe so when it comes to Dybala. I understand Paratici does not believe he's the best fit for a Conte Tottenham and Spurs' managing director of football was one of those keen on moving Dybala out of Juventus back in the summer of 2019. As for Eriksen, it's all down to him really and whether he feels loyalty to Brentford for taking that chance on him or that the pull of Spurs, Conte and the Champions League is stronger. There will be other interested parties although I understand he would like to remain in London."

mkd: "Is there anything to report about Ryan Mason and how he’s getting on as part of the coaching staff? Also intrigued to know anything about Yaya Toure and Ledley King’s respective coaching journeys within Spurs. Is there any indication Ledley will step back into the coaching fray, perhaps at academy level?"

Alasdair says: "All the indications seem to be that Ryan Mason is getting on well. He's a young, up and coming coach and is learning plenty from Conte. Yaya Toure has just earned his UEFA A Licence, helped by his work within Spurs' academy. As for Ledley, he seems happy enough doing his ambassadorial work at the moment but you would imagine he'll want to scratch that coaching itch again at some point."

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