With the winter window out of the way, Daniel Levy and the chiefs at White Hart Lane have already started laying bricks for the upcoming summer transfer window, and they have been looking at the defensive side of things as Tottenham Hotspur looks to increase the depth and dynamism at the heart of the park, a set of positions that they have suffered duly in the ongoing campaign. And the Lilywhites have been looking to move for 26-year-old centre-back Federico Gatti.

Tottenham’s need for new defenders

Ange Postecoglou has endured a difficult campaign because of consistent injuries to the starting centre-back duo of Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven, and the faltering defence has left the Lilywhites in 12th place in the English top tier; however, with injured players coming back, it looks like the North Londoners have the potential to climb up the table.

But that doesn’t mean that there is not a centre-back concern at N17. Radu Dragusin has been sidelined for an extended period because of a serious injury, which means Tottenham will have to be in the market despite bringing in Kevin Danso in the winter market. And the recent reports have linked the North Londoners to Juventus defender Federico Gatti.

Why Gatti?

Federico Gatti does have physicality complemented by defensive awareness and impressive aerial ability, which adds to his capacity to outmuscle attackers, making him a felt presence on the pitch. But it doesn’t end there; he has this ability to anticipate and intercept opposition.

He can ideally fit into the football deployed by Postecoglou, especially with his composure on the ball, which helps him in the first phase of the build-up.

If you look at his statistics, he averages 1.01 interceptions, 1.23 blocks, 3.07 clearances, and wins 1.36 aerial duels per 90 minutes, which shows how much of a potential addition he can become at White Hart Lane. (via. fbref)

€35 million & a domino effect

While Daniel Levy looks at possibilities of moving for Gatti, other Premier League teams have also expressed interest in his signature, with the likes of West Ham United and Nottingham Forest looking to get their hands on the 26-year-old in the off-season.

Italian giants are said to be open to selling Gatti when the summer window comes around, with Juventus expecting a fee in the region of €30-35 million, per Caughtoffside. But there is more: Juventus is looking to sign David Hancko from Feyenoord, and it lays a domino effect as it opens up possibilities of the Italian’s departure.

More Tottenham Hotspur News:

• £50million price tag quoted for forward that Tottenham desperately need
• “Everyone’s got a lifespan” – Paul Robinson urges Tottenham to let star run down current deal
• Liverpool star could quit Anfield in the summer; Tottenham remain keen

It is to be seen where this rumour goes, but there is a deal to be done here; now the ball is in Levy’s court…