Messina have told Spurs to put a bid on the table if they want Carmine Coppola.
Messina have told Tottenham Hotspur to put a bid on the table if they are seriously interested in Carmine Coppola.The midfielder's agent told skysports.com earlier in the week that Spurs have been watching the Messina ace.
Coppola has two years remaining on his Messina contract and capped a fine season by being included in Italy's squad for their trip to the United States.
Spurs are rumoured to be considering an offer for the 26-year-old but Messina are determined not to lose Coppola without a fight.
Their priority is to retain the services of the midfielder but have conceded an offer of ‚é¼5 million (£3.4 million) could be enough to tip a deal in Spurs' favour.
"The club are ever more convinced by the idea of not selling him," Messina president Pietro Franza told Corriere dello Sport.
"I know the English side want him. I've spoken with Coppola's agent too although no sums have been done.
"Coppola is our symbol and flags aren't sold.
"Tottenham insist on him but if they want to talk they must start offering ‚é¼5 million. At that point we also might do a few evaluations with the player too."
Franza did warn Coppola, though, that accepting a move to The Premiership could jeopardise his prospects with Marcello Lippi's Azzurri side.
He added: "Lippi paid him compliments. He has been touched by this and he's really charged in this fantastic moment.
"I don't think he would like to leave Italy and give up a possible chance with the national team."
