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Tottenham have ‘intensified’ their efforts to sign Turkish international Merih Demiral from Juventus, but the Italians are putting a wall around the centre back.

Spurs are on the hunt for a defender before the end of the window, with Jose Mourinho determined to improve his options.

They have been heavily linked with a move for Inter Milan’s Milan Skriniar, but negotiations between the two clubs have hit the buffers if reports in Italy are to be believed.

Tottenham are therefore looking at other options, and it seems they are making a move for Juventus’ Demiral.

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Corriere Dello Sport say they are ‘pressing’ for his signature and their efforts have ‘intensified’ in the last few hours after encountering difficulties unlocking the Skriniar operation.

However, they have been met with a wall of resistance from the Italian giants who ‘do not consider the possibility’ of losing the centre back even if they receive an ‘economically interesting proposal’ for him.

Manager Andrea Pirlo and the club believe strongly in the centre back, and he is aiming to relaunch himself after suffering a serious injury in January.

That would suggest he doesn’t want to move either and Tottenham would be better served using the final days of the window focusing on someone more attainable.