Spurs the only club close to meeting defender’s £31m asking price – report

Tottenham Hotspur are willing to pay more than their rivals for the signature of Sampdoria defender Joachim Andersen, according to reports in Italy.

Last week we relayed reports suggesting Spurs have held several meetings with the representatives of Andersen, who looks set to leave Sampdoria this summer.

That story purported Arsenal have pulled out of a move for the centre-back while Tottenham are still very much interested in making a deal happen.

And now, Italian outlet TuttoMercatoWeb claims Spurs are the only club who have come close to meeting Sampdoria’s £31 million asking price for Andersen.

The Dane, who is yet to play for his country’s senior side alongside Tottenham star Christian Eriksen, has three years left on his current contract.

He made 32 appearances in Serie A last season, impressing enough to attract interest from the likes of Spurs and Arsenal.

Sampdoria president Massimo Ferrero is said to be demanding £31 million for the 23-year-old, and Tottenham are apparently the only club who have made an offer close to that figure.

Spurs are only likely to move for a new centre-back if Toby Alderweireld leaves, which at one point seemed like a certainty but is now a bit more unpredictable.