Tottenham Hotspur have held long-term interest in a Denmark international, but his club are working to make a summer deal harder for the Lilywhites and the player’s other suitors.

According to various reports, De Zerbi and Tottenham have already held conversations regarding summer transfer targets.

The new Spurs head coach has been given the power to have a major say in the squad building, and one would expect plenty of changes this summer as he looks to put his own imprint on the squad.

A Serie A defender who has been on Tottenham’s radar for well over 12 months could emerge as a target for De Zerbi.

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Thomas Kristensen was heavily linked with a £14m move to Spurs last year, but the versatile defender ended up staying at Udinese.

His stock has continued to rise this season in light of the centre-back’s impressive performances this term, and TuttoMercatoWeb have revealed that his growth has not gone unnoticed in England.

The outlet claims that Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest made a move for Kristensen last summer, forcing the Italian side to take ‘evasive action’.

Udinese are now worried about losing the defender this summer as the Premier League trio have now been...