Report: Inter Leads AC Milan in Race for Tottenham's Mousa Dembele
Inter are trying to push forwards with their move for Mousa Dembele as they aim to beat their city rivals to the signing of the Belgian midfielder.
AC Milan have been after Dembele for a while and Tottenham have fended off bids from the Rossoneri, but it was reported on Wednesday that Inter have joined the party and they now seem to be taking a surprise lead in the race for the 30-year-old's signature.
Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has set his asking price at €30m and Corriere dello Sport (via SportWitness), who broke the original story, claim that Inter's Director of Football Piero Ausilio has already flown abroad to negotiate the terms of Dembele's move to the Nerazzurri.
The same source also claims that Dembele has agreed to the deal and Inter are now attempting to push his value down, though Spurs are likely to stand firm as they seek to set a precedent for what promises to be a challenging transfer window.
The likes of Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen could all be in demand but Tottenham will aim to tie the trio to new contracts. Holding out for a good deal for Dembele would show that Spurs are no longer willing to be pushed around in the marketplace.
Inter are a much more attractive proposition for next season as they return to the Champions League for the first time since 2011/12.
A final day win over Lazio in Serie A meant that Luciano Spalletti's team leapfrogged the Biancocelesti into 4th, which now guarantees automatic group stage qualification.
By contrast, AC Milan can only offer Europa League football after finishing 6th.
