Tottenham have options to fall back on if they miss out on Alessandro Bastoni and Josko Gvardiol this summer, claims transfer insider Dean Jones.
The Inter Milan and RB Leipzig central defenders are thought to be two key targets for the north London club, but Jones says progress is already being made when it comes to deals for potential alternatives.
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What is the latest news involving Bastoni and Gvardiol?
90min recently reported that Bastoni had informed Inter that he wants to join Tottenham and link up with former manager Antonio Conte again, but that claim has seemingly been refuted by the player's agent.
Jones had told GIVEMESPORT prior that Spurs view the 23-year-old as a "dream signing". However, a deal now looks difficult.
As for Gvardiol, The Telegraph recently stated that Tottenham, Chelsea and Manchester United are all interested in the 20-year-old.
The Croatian made 46 appearances in the 2021/22 season, helping Leipzig to win the DFB-Pokal.
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What has Jones said about Bastoni, Gvardiol and Tottenham?
Jones does not think it is the end of the world if Tottenham fail to sign either one of Bastoni or Gvardiol, as they have contingency plans.
Speaking to GMS, he said: "They've got a long list of names that they're ready to fall back on. Those were just seen as the two best fits, and if it doesn't work for Tottenham, it's not the end of the world because they are making progress with other players at the same time."
Do Tottenham need to sign Bastoni or Gvardiol this summer?
It would be ideal. Conte needs to add a left-sided centre-back to his squad, with left-back Ben Davies fulfilling that role in the campaign that recently concluded, and Bastoni and Gvardiol are perfect candidates.
The Italy international and the Croatia international, who are valued at £161.5m by the CIES Football Observatory, are both left-footed so are natural fits.
The former, of course, has already worked under Conte when the 52-year-old was manager of Inter, so it is hardly a shock that he is now wanted at Hotspur Way.
All in all, with the Spurs boss likely to continue with a three-man central defence, he could do with a natural centre-back who can play on the left-hand side. Will Bastoni, Gvardiol or someone else be delivered this summer? From Conte's perspective, hopefully, but only time will tell.