Tottenham enter fierce race for £26m defender who just dumped Italy out of the World Cup

Tottenham Hotspur’s growing interest in a Serie A talent could spark another transfer tussle, with one highly rated defender now attracting attention from multiple clubs in Italy and the Premier League.

The appointment of Roberto De Zerbi as Tottenham Hotspur boss could reignite the Lilywhites’ interest in players from Serie A.

A few seasons ago, when Fabio Paratici was sporting director, Spurs shopped in Italy, signing the likes of Cristian Romero, Rodrigo Bentancur, Destiny Udogie and Dejan Kulusevski.

However, with De Zerbi at the helm, we are beginning to see more links with Serie A players. Manuel Locatelli is said to be a top target for De Zerbi, while Moise Kean is one of the latest to be linked with a move to Spurs.

Tottenham join Aston Villa in chase for Tarik Muharemovic as £26m fee emerges

Tuttosport are now reporting that Spurs are among the suitors for Tarik Muharemovic, who has been one of the best defenders in Serie A this season.

The centre-back plays for Sassuolo, where he has featured 27 times, impressing with his ball-playing ability and physicality.

He took his performances a step forward with another top display against Italy in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s World Cup qualifiers, where he dominated Italian forwards.

Following that top display, Spurs are now being named as potential suitors for the centre-back after he passed the test against Italy with flying colours.

Spurs face fierce competition for Tarik Muharemovic transfer

Spurs, however, are expected to face stiff competition for the Sassuolo defender. Aston Villa have also been named as potential suitors for Muharemovic.

Bournemouth could also pose a threat, after the Cherries tried to sign the defender in the winter window, but it remains to be seen if they will return for him in the summer.

As for Sassuolo, it is explained that they are set to demand (£26m), a fee that will hand them an ‘extraordinary capital gain’, having signed Muharemovic for just £4.3m in 2025.

There is also interest in Italy, with both Inter Milan and Juventus keen on landing the defender. Inter Milan, though, are understood to be more advanced, having sounded out Sassuolo over a summer deal already.

The competition could rise further in the coming months, which will most likely make it more difficult for Tottenham to land the defender.

It is explained that Sassuolo would like an auction, as they are a club that survives on capital gains from big sales.

While Juventus have a sell-on clause in his current deal, which would allow them to sign him for less, all of this will only make it harder, and Tottenham are unlikely to find it easy in a deal.

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