Tottenham Hotspur face competition from two Premier League rivals for Como star Martin Baturina, who was one of the surprise packages of the World Cup.
It has been reported over the last few weeks that Spurs have expressed an interest in Baturina, who has had an outstanding first season in Italian football since moving from Dinamo Zagreb to Como 12 months ago.
The 23-year-old carried that form into the World Cup, and his stock grew even further in light of his performances for Croatia at the biggest stage.
It has been reported that Como have already rejected offers in the region of €50m-€55m (£43m-£47m) for the Tottenham target this summer, as the race for his signature intensifies.
Tottenham have to spend big to land Martin Baturina
CalcioMercato have now claimed that Tottenham are not the only Premier League club who have set their sights on the Serie A attacking midfielder.
The Lilywhites have been joined in the race for Baturina by Aston Villa and Man United, but Como are not alarmed by the growing interest.
The Croat is seen as one of the most important players in the Italian club’s squad and will only be allowed to leave in case of an ‘unmissable offer’.
The website also spoke to Como’s president, Mirwan Suwarso, who confirmed that the Serie A side will listen to offers for the Tottenham Hotspur target.
Suwarso is quoted as saying about Baturina: “If there’s an offer, we’ll listen. If we like it, we’ll accept, but we’re not afraid to refuse. Last summer, we rejected a €60m offer for Assane Diao. I can’t say from whom. And in the winter, another €40, for Jayden Addai.”
Why Spurs are unlikely to sign Baturina this summer
Xavi Simons currently remains sidelined with an ACL injury, while reports indicate that Lucas Bergvall is expected to leave Tottenham this summer. Dejan Kulusevski is also still yet to return.
That leaves the injury-prone James Maddison and Conor Gallagher as the club’s only two fit attacking midfield options at the start of the season.
It is thus not out of the question that the Lilywhites could sign another number 10, but it appears unlikely that they would spend big to reinforce that position, especially with Xavi set to be back in action later this calendar year.