Steaua Bucharest defender Vlad Chiriches is the subject of interest from both Tottenham Hotspur and AC Milan this summer.
The 23-year old has rose to fame during the last 18 months, and is said to have been previously courted by Barcelona and Chelsea – among many other sides in Europe.
Last season, he made 26 league appearances, scoring once. Any club looking to sign him has been told only a bid of around £8M and above will be deemed acceptable for the Romanian international. His contract expires in 2015, so Bucharest are in no panic about letting him go just yet.
His agent recently let the cat out of the bag by admitting his client is keen to move to a big side in Europe, and Italy is said to be a more favourable destination than England – which is bad news for Spurs.
Tottenham are getting desperate for defensive recruits after a recent bout of injuries looks to see a number of first-team personnel sidelined for the opening game of the 2013/14 Premier League season. And after selling centre back Steven Caulker to newly-promoted Cardiff City, the London outfit have really shot themselves in the foot.
Manager Andres Villas-Boas does have a number of other defensive targets on his shortlist, but Spurs have so far failed in their quest to procure any of their signatures.
AC Milan are looking to the 23-year old as potential competition for the ageing Daniel Bonera. They have brought in two centre backs already this summer as it’s a position they feel the weakest in. With Chiriches so highly-regard in his native country, Milan would be hoping he can force his way into the first-team and make an instant impact.
Chiriches has made 18 appearances for the Romanian national team, and has been highly endorsed by his teammates – who are all tipping him to play at the top level in the future.
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