Who is Andrea Ranocchia? Tottenham chasing Inter Milan defender – here is what we know about the Italian
Spurs are keen on the Italian international as they look to bolster their defensive options under Mauricio Pochettino
TOTTENHAM have begun the process of trying to sign Italian international defender Andrea Ranocchia.
Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino is understood to be looking at the Inter Milan ace as he tries to bolster his defensive options this season.
Here SunSport runs the rule over the defender who could be switching from Serie A to the Premier League.
Who is Andrea Ranocchia and which club does he play for?
Andrea Ranocchia is a 28-year-old defender who currently plays for Inter Milan in Serie A and the Italian national team.
Tottenham are interested in signing the Italian international to boost their squad as they challenge for the Premier League title.
Spurs have been tracking his performances this season and have now stepped up their interest following the injury to defender Jan Vertonghen that is expected to sideline the Belgian international for at least six weeks.
Ranocchia began his senior career at Arezzo, making his debut when the club were in Serie B and were being managed by current Chelsea boss Antonio Conte.
Genoa quickly snapped up half his registration rights in 2008 for £1.2million, and sent him out on loan to Bari where he again linked up with Conte and helped the club to promotion that season.
He began to establish an impressive reputation in the Bari side playing alongside Leonardo Bonucci, who went on to move to Juventus.
Genoa were impressed enough to buy him outright in June 2009, taking the total the side paid Arezzo for him to £3.7m.
Having played just 16 games in total for Genoa, Ranocchia was targeted by Inter Milan and the two clubs went on to agree a staggered deal that was eventually to cost £16.3m.
The defender soon became a key part of Inter's side who finished second in Serie A in 2011 and also won the Italian Cup.
Ranocchia was appointed as the new club captain at Inter following the departure of long-serving Argention Javier Zanetti in 2014 - and signed a new four-year deal at the San Siro the following year.
Last season, having lost his place in the side, he spent the second half of the campaign on loan at Sampdoria.
- Arezzo 2006-208
- Genoa 2008-2011
- Bari 2008-2010 (loan)
- Inter Milan 2011-present
- Sampdoria 2016 (loan)
How much will Andrea Ranocchia cost Tottenham?
Having fallen out of favour at Inter Milan as they try to build for the future, Tottenham are hoping to get a deal done for around £5m.
Inter are looking to freshen up their squad at the San Siro, and though Ranocchia still has more than two years left to run on his existing deal, they may be willing to sell at a bargain price.
Spurs know they are in a strong position with Inter looking to release funds on their wage bill so expect chairman Daniel Levy to drive a hard bargain.
What is Andrea Ranocchia's playing style?
Rated as one of the most promising young defenders of his generation in Italy, Ranocchia has gained a reputation for being a tough and uncompromising player.
Noted for his physical prowess and aerial ability, he has become known for his ability to read the game well and tactical understanding.
Having played in a more advanced role in his youth as an attacking midfielder, he is also comfortable in possession and good with his distribution.
But in the last couple of seasons he has been blighted by a series of niggling injuries amid concerns he has lost some of the pace he had earlier in his career.
