One of the first matters Ange Postecoglou appears to have wanted to address after he took over at Tottenham was the revamping of the defence.
Spurs had brought in players for Antonio Conte’s plans, and while some players will stay, some will be sold and replaced.
One of the desired centre-backs appears to have been Roger Ibañez, currently at AS Roma in Italy, but the first attempt from Tottenham to sign him didn’t go to plan, while West Ham United and Fulham are also keen, courtesy of Roma Giallorossa.
The Italian website look at the situation around the Brazilian, and explain that ‘no concrete offers’ have arrived for the defender ‘in recent days’.
They did get a bid from Tottenham of €22m, but that was ‘a week ago’ and was met with a ‘resounding no’ by Tiago Pinto, who wants a bit more than that.
West Ham and Fulham are also keen, with both clubs have made ‘enquiries’ for the defender, and there’s even hope the interest from the Hammers could be used in Roma’s favour, as they seek a deal for Gianluca Scamacca.
The Serie A side have dropped their valuation of Ibañez from €35m to €30m, but there’s a feeling that they could close at €25m if that was all paid up front.
Right now, regardless of the interest from West Ham, Fulham or even Tottenham, the main aim is to sell him and ‘monetise’ an exit, with no rush on when that happens, as Tiago Pinto waits ‘for the best offer’, even if it means it arriving in late JUly.