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Luton Town, Inter Milan in battle for Japhet Tanganga?

By Carter White | 21 August 2023

Luton Town are reportedly hoping to take Tottenham Hotspur's Japhet Tanganga on a season-long loan, but the Hatters face competition from Inter Milan for the defender.

Luton Town are reportedly interested in taking Tottenham Hotspur's Japhet Tanganga on loan this season, with Inter Milan also keen on the player.

The 24-year-old struggled for game time under Antonio Conte last term, starting just two Premier League matches for Spurs as they finished eighth, meaning that they missed out on European football.

Tanganga has played 50 times for the North Londoners since making his debut in August 2018, although the defender has failed to cement a place as a regular for the Lilywhites.

The 2021-22 term saw the Englishman feature in 11 league games for Tottenham - the only time that the centre-back has reached double digits in terms of appearances in a single campaign.

According to the Daily Express, Tanganga could be on his way out of Tottenham this summer, with Luton and Inter Milan interested in his services.

Tottenham Hotspur defender Japhet Tanganga in training in October 2022 © Reuters

It is understood that both the Hatters and the Italians have offered to have the defender on season-long loan for the 2023-24 term.

Rob Edwards is guiding his Luton side through their first-ever Premier League campaign, and the 40-year-old is targeting players with top-flight experience to help bolster his squad.

The Hatters commenced their season with a 4-1 defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion on August 12, when a back three of Amari'i Bell, Tom Lockyer and Mads Andersen lined up for Town, with none of that trio having featured in the Premier League previously.

Inter are coming into the new term as Champions League runners-up, and they reportedly view Tanganga as an alternative to first-choice target Benjamin Pavard in the closing weeks of this window.

It is believed that the French World Cup winner would prefer a move to the Serie A giants over Manchester United this summer, meaning that Luton could face less competition in their attempts to sign Spurs defender Tanganga.

Bayern Munich's Benjamin Pavard reacts in May 2023 © Reuters

The report claims that the 24-year-old is favouring a switch to San Siro over Kenilworth Road, however, with Simone Inzaghi's men progressing with a deal for Pavard, Inter's interest in the former England youth international may evaporate.

Luton are also looking to bring in other defensive reinforcements before September 1, with ex-Manchester United youngster Axel Tuanzebe currently on trial at the Premier League newcomers.

The former Aston Villa loanee is a free agent after leaving Old Trafford at the expiration of his contract, and the Hatters could be set to hand the defender another chance at becoming a regular in top-flight football.

A trip to Stamford Bridge awaits Luton on Friday night, when Edwards's charges will be looking to earn their maiden points of the new Premier League campaign.