Tottenham are believed to be lining up a £35m move for Italy midfielder Nicolo Barella, dubbed the “next Steven Gerrard” by the Italian press.
Spurs, who failed to sign a single player in the summer transfer window, are believed ready to spend big to land the 21-year-old from Serie A side Cagliari to replace the injured Moussa Dembele and add to their midfield depth.
Liverpool had previously been the favourites to secure the signature of a player twice-capped by Italy, with Juventus also credited with an interest but Tottenham now appear to be in pole position for his signing.
According to The Sun Cagliari are willing to listen to offers in excess of £30m for Barella, a fee which would make the midfielder the North London club’s second-highest transfer after the club-record fee spent to bring Davinson Sanchez from Ajax.