Tottenham are once again turning their attention to Serie A in the search for defensive reinforcements, with Fabio Paratici looking to solve the problems that have made this season so unpredictable.
After a string of chaotic performances at the back, the club is reportedly preparing a move for Brazilian centre-back Gleison Bremer, a player Paratici knows well and one who has been admired by Spurs for years.
The hope inside Tottenham is that adding a defender of his level could stabilise the team and push Cristian Romero to rediscover the consistency he has been lacking.
Romero has long been seen as the leader of Tottenham’s defence, but he saved his poorest form for two of the biggest matches of the season. The heavy defeat to Arsenal exposed cracks throughout the backline, and Romero looked rattled from the first whistle, eventually picking up a booking that means he will miss the upcoming match against Fulham.
Just days later, in Paris, his second-half showing was filled with errors as Spurs let a major opportunity slip away in the Champions League. While he was not the only player at fault, his calmness and organisation were both missing when his team needed them most.
Thomas Frank is becoming increasingly frustrated with the type of goals his team are conceding, and it appears he has asked Paratici to explore solutions ahead of the January window.
Reports in Italy have linked Tottenham strongly with Bremer, and the timing feels intentional. Paratici built much of his reputation in Serie A, and Bremer is exactly the type of defender he would usually target: strong, quick, intelligent, and reliable in the air.
Bremer’s journey in Italy began with Torino, where he quickly established himself as one of the league’s most effective central defenders. His move to Juventus in 2022 confirmed his rising status, and he has since become one of their most trusted performers.
Nearing 100 appearances for the club and contributing eight goals, he brings the kind of physical presence and set-piece threat that Tottenham have been missing. Juventus are not pushing to sell, but the suggestion is that a fee of around £35 million could be enough to test their resolve.
Some may argue that Tottenham already have depth in central defence, but the quality drop-off behind Romero and Micky van de Ven is steep. Kevin Danso has filled in admirably yet does not offer the same authority, and Radu Dragusin, returning from a serious injury, has shown promise but remains inconsistent.
Young additions such as Kota Takai and Luka Vuskovic could one day become important players, but neither is close to being ready for the pressure of Premier League football.
The truth is that Romero has not felt any real competition for his place, and it shows. At times he plays with a calm confidence, but too often this slips into complacency.
Tottenham need another top-level defender to raise standards and make every performance matter. A signing like Bremer would not only strengthen the team but also push Romero to sharpen his game, knowing there is someone equally capable behind him.
Whether Juventus are willing to sell remains uncertain, but Tottenham’s interest is real, and the need for reinforcement is becoming impossible to ignore.
The club is trying to build a side capable of competing across multiple competitions, and quality depth in central defence is a crucial part of that process.
Meanwhile, the squad continues to evolve in other areas. Randal Kolo Muani has already made an impression by scoring twice against PSG, and Tottenham are now weighing up whether to pursue a permanent deal when his loan spell ends.
There is also growing talk surrounding Savinho, who Manchester City hope will become one of the Premier League’s next great Brazilian stars, but who could attract interest from Tottenham in the coming years.
And across North London, Arsenal are preparing their own moves, including a push for Samu Aghehowa, which could complicate transfer plans for both Spurs and Chelsea.
Tottenham know that strengthening their defence is essential if they want stability and progress this season. The pursuit of Bremer signals their intention to address the issue properly, and if they succeed, it could reshape the entire dynamic of their backline and bring out the best in the players already there.
