Tottenham defender linked with surprise switch to Europa League club in Italy

Tottenham’s Japhet Tanganga is a target for Atalanta as the English defender looks for regular game time in the coming season.

Tottenham already have Cristian Romero, Eric Dier and Davinson Sanchez, and are looking to bring in two more central defenders, making Tanganga possibly sixth choice if he stays at the club.

A strength for Tanganga is that he can play as a central defender and also a full-back, as he proved under Jose Mourinho. Now 24, this summer is decision time for the defender who showed incredible promise when he first broke into the first team.

Atalanta will be playing in the Europa League, having finished fifth in the Italian league, and have been interested in Tanganga for a while. It is understood that Tottenham want an outright sale of the player.

In each of the last two seasons, Tanganga has played fewer than 15 games for Tottenham. The arrival of new manager Ange Postecogclou could be the opening he needs, but the arrival of new defenders could block his path.

Tottenham finished a disappointing eighth in the Premier League last season but injuries and form combined to deny Tanganga playing time.

This summer, Tottenham have already signed James Maddison from Leicester and goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario from Empoli, as well as securing Dejan Kulusevski on a permanent deal.