Tottenham Hotspur are ‘unlikely’ to sign RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol this summer, according to talkSPORT reporter Alex Crook.

The talented 20-year-old is believed to be on Spurs’ shortlist as manager Antonio Conte looks to improve his current options at centre-back ahead of next season.

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Back in April, The Athletic claimed that Tottenham’s hierarchy had drawn up a four-player shortlist to solve their defensive problems.

Inter Milan’s Alessandro Bastoni, Sven Botman and Nico Schlotterbeck were joined by Gvardiol on the capital club’s radar, although they could be set to miss out on the entire quartet.

While Botman and Schlotterbeck have already sealed moves to Newcastle United and Borussia Dortmund, respectively, Bastoni and Gvardiol may also be out of reach.

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The Italy international’s agent has stated that his client will ‘certainly remain’ at Inter, while German football expert Stefan Bienkowski has revealed both Spurs and Chelsea have been informed the Croatian is not for sale by Leipzig.

As a result, the north London outfit have opened talks with Barcelona over a potential season-long loan for Clement Lenglet, although an agreement is not thought to be close.

What has Crook said about Tottenham?

Crook has informed GiveMeSport that it’s doubtful Tottenham will sign Gvardiol in the current window and that they are ‘more likely’ to do their shopping in Serie A.

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He told GiveMeSport: “I'd say unlikely. I think Leipzig are keen to keep hold of him for another season. I think there'll be better value to be had in Italy.

“And this is still Tottenham and Daniel Levy, so they're not going to pay over the odds for players. So, I think Serie A is a more likely destination.”

Who could Tottenham buy?

With Gvardiol, who is valued at £103 million by CIES, seemingly not an option for Conte, he may be forced to turn to Villarreal’s Pau Torres or Gleison Bremer of Torino.

Signing a left-footed centre-back is believed to be key for the Italian tactician as full-back Ben Davies was forced to fill in there, albeit admirably, due to all of his options at present being right-footed.

Bremer, though, is right-footed, but with Lenglet able to fulfil Conte’s needs, the highly-rated Brazilian could arrive as additional support.

Reliable reporter Alasdair Gold has stated that Spurs are closely monitoring Bremer’s situation and that he could be available for as little as £21m.