Transfer

Tottenham open talks to sign Bologna and Japan defender Takehiro Tomiyasu

Spurs' new managing director of football Fabio Paratici has approached the Serie A club about a potential deal for 22-year-old Japan international Takehiro Tomiyasu, who can play at centre-back or right-back

By Lyall Thomas

Sunday 27 June 2021 21:46, UK

Tottenham have opened talks to sign Bologna defender Takehiro Tomiyasu.

Spurs' new managing director of football Fabio Paratici has approached the Serie A club about a potential deal for the Japan international.

Bologna are said to want at least £17m (€20m) for Tomiyasu, who is equally comfortable at both centre-back and right-back - both priority positions that managerless Spurs want to strengthen this summer.

The future of right-back Serge Aurier is in doubt, with the Ivory Coast international seeking to leave, while they have been looking to strengthen at centre-back since last summer despite signing Joe Rodon.

Sky Sports News has already reported the club's interest in Tariq Lamptey of Brighton and Norwich's Max Aarons in the right-back position.

At centre-back, they like Joachim Andersen, after his impressive loan spell at Fulham last season, and Jannick Vestergaard of Southampton, along with a number of others.

Tomiyasu, meanwhile, played almost an equal number of games at right-back and centre-back last season but was arguably more impressive at full-back, as the 22-year-old scored twice from the position against Atalanta and Udinese.