Tottenham Hotspur could 'push' to sign Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni because head coach Antonio Conte and managing director Fabio Paratici 'know all about him', according to journalist Pete O'Rourke.

Conte has been in the Spurs hot seat since succeeding Nuno Espirito Santo in November and he could use the summer transfer window to put his own stamp on the north Londoners' squad.

What's the latest news involving Bastoni?

The Athletic have claimed Bastoni has worked his way onto a four-man shortlist of potential central defensive acquisitions which also includes Sven Botman, Josko Gvardiol and Nico Schlotterbeck.

The report suggests Spurs will prioritise welcoming a left-sided centre-back to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this summer.

But it appears Conte has identified Bastoni as his first-choice option as Spanish sources have insisted Spurs have already tabled a £42million bid.

Inter have attempted to deter Tottenham - along with other reported suitors Arsenal, Liverpool and Newcastle United - by looking to extend Bastoni's £122,000-per-week contract, which still has more than two years remaining.

But Tullio Tinti, the 23-year-old's agent, has revealed talks have reached an impasse despite it initially appearing as though a fresh deal would be penned.

Chelsea 2-4 Arsenal! Full reaction on The Football Terrace...

What has Pete O'Rourke said about Bastoni?

O'Rourke believes the Bastoni, who is valued at £60million by the CIES Football Observatory, could turn out to be a more achievable Spurs target than the likes of Botman, Gvardiol and Schlotterbeck.

The journalist feels the 11-cap Italy international's relationship with Conte and Paratici could prove crucial if he is to swap the San Siro for the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

O'Rourke told GIVEMESPORT: "Bastoni could be a more realistic option for Tottenham right now.

"Conte and Fabio Paratici will know all about him from their time in Italy and he might be a more achievable target.

"That could be the one Spurs push for as they look to bring in a new centre-back in the summer."

How does Conte know Bastoni well?

Conte was appointed as Inter's head coach in 2019, which resulted in him linking up with Bastoni.

The centre-half clearly gained Conte’s trust, with him being selected by his fellow countryman on 74 occasions.

Bastoni and Conte also won the Serie A title last season and, although he left the San Siro at the end of the campaign, the current Tottenham chief clearly left a lasting impression.

That is because the 6 ft 3 star told La Gazzetta dello Sport, via HITC, that Conte is 'the Messi of coaches' and 'phenomenal'.