TOTTENHAM defender Japhet Tanganga is being targeted again by AC Milan, this time in a loan-to-buy deal.
The academy graduate has been told he has no future at Spurs by hardline boss Antonio Conte.
But they were also not keen to let him go unless it was a permanent move.
And it now seems the Rossoneri are prepared to meet Spurs halfway by taking the 23-year-old for a season with an eye to a long-term switch after “restarting” talks, according to Calciomercato.com.
However the two clubs will still need to thrash out a deal over his eventual price.
Milan are not willing to match Spurs’ £21million valuation unless the player excels at the San Siro.
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But former Chelsea defender Fikayo Tomori also had a season on loan at AC Milan.
And the current Serie A champs then snapped up the England centre-back for £30m
Tanganga was not in the ‘bomb squad’ of Tanguy Ndombele, Giovani Lo Celso, Sergio Reguilon and Harry Winks who Conte forced to train alone.
However his future still looks bleak at the club, making just four Prem starts under Conte last season.
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Tanganga had looked like a future star when he broke through under Jose Mourinho.
But any move may now spark a Spurs hunt for further squad depth.
Conte said: “We’re okay. But if someone goes away, for sure another player has to come.
“Especially if some players want to go to play regularly.
It’s difficult to keep them here.
“But at the same time, it has to be very clear. That if a player wants to go and play, I have to replace this player.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk