Tottenham Hotspur have been linked with Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips in recent weeks.
Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport recently claimed that Spurs had set their sights on the England international.
Spurs will apparently make a move for a midfielder as Pape Matar Sarr and Yves Bissouma are due to head to the Africa Cup of Nations in January.
In addition, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg‘s Tottenham future remains uncertain going into the January transfer window.
The 28-year-old’s Spurs future already looked uncertain in the summer amid links with the likes of Manchester United, Atletico Madrid and Fulham.
Although Hojbjerg ended up staying put at Spurs, but he’s yet to get significant game time this season.
Journalist Paul Brown recently told GiveMeSport that he thinks the Dane has made up his mind and wants to leave.
With all this in mind, Phillips would be a good shout for Tottenham. And Fabrizio Romano has now suggested that one rival suitor is no longer in the race.
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‘Too defensive’
The Italian told CaughtOffside that Juventus – who have also been heavily linked with the 27-year-old – don’t have much interest in the player.
“I don’t know the exact name of the midfielder that they’re (Juve) after yet, it’s too early,” said Romano.
“Kalvin Phillips, Thomas Partey and other names being spoken about are too defensive.
“Juve actually want an offensive midfielder and it has to be a cheap deal, they’re not spending crazy money.”
Phillips, who joined Man City for around £45million, was keen to prove himself at England’s most successful club in recent years.
However, the ‘unbelievable‘ midfielder continues to struggle for game time. Even though he won the treble last year, he has to think about his future.
You have to wonder whether he’ll look to move for the sake of first-team football, particularly ahead of Euro 2024.
Romano’s comments suggest that Tottenham’s Phillips mission is a little easier now, with Juve seemingly out of the equation.
Admittedly, there are other big clubs in pursuit of the former Leeds United man, so Spurs will still have some work to do.