CalcioMercato have claimed that Atletico Madrid have now entered the race to sign Tottenham target Roger Ibanez, who is expected to leave AS Roma soon.
We previously covered a report in the print edition of Gazzetta Dello Sport (via Sport Witness) on June 11, which claimed that Roma were in a hurry to cash in on Ibanez in order to balance their finances, with the report revealing that Tottenham had expressed an interest in the centre-back.
Roma Giallorossa then reported the very next day that Spurs had ‘intensified’ their contact about the Brazilian, with the report adding that Ange Postecoglou is an ‘admirer’ of the player.
Atletico Madrid join Spurs in Roger Ibanez race
CalcioMercato have now stated that Spurs face a challenge from Atletico Madrid, who have now also set their sights on Ibanez.
The report reveals that the La Liga club explored a move for the defender in January but were scared off by Roma’s €35m (£30m) valuation of the player.
The La Liga club have allegedly reignited their interest in Ibanez but it is asserted that Tottenham still hold the ‘advantage’ in the race as they can offer the player a much higher salary.
CalcioMercato add that the centre-back now understands that his future lies away from the Stadio Olimpico, with the Giallorossi hoping to raise €25m-€28m (£21.3m- £23.9m) from his sale.
Spurs Web Opinion
There is no doubt that we need wholesale changes at centre-back.
If Spurs are planning on offloading the likes of Eric Dier, Davinson Sanchez and Japhet Tanganga, it would make sense to snap up a versatile defender like Ibanez, who could be a valuable squad player.
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