Franco Vazquez to Tottenham Hotspur: Palermo demand £19.6m fee for Italy international

Tottenham Hotspur have been told they will have to pay £19.6m for Palermo star Franco Vazquez. Vazquez, who joined the Serie A club from Belgrano in 2012, scored eight goals and provided seven assists operating behind the striker during the 2015-16 season.

According to Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini, Tottenham are among the clubs interested in signing the 24-year-old Italy international this summer, with Premier League champions Leicester City also keen.

According to Corriere dello Sport, Manchester United are also an interested party, following claims initially made in January that Jose Mourinho would consider bidding for the player this summer.

But if Vazquez is to leave, Zamparini expects him to command a fee similar to that of another of Serie A's most sought-after attacking talents in Sassuolo forward Domenico Berardi, who is being strongly linked with a £20m move to Juventus.

"It's definitely more likely Vazquez will go to England - I'm asking for €25m (£19.5m, $28m) for him," Zamparini told Corriere dello Sport.

"I have lower offers, but for me he's worth as much as (Domenico) Berardi. I can see him doing well anywhere. He's underrated and I don't know why."

After their Premier League title challenge fell short last season, Tottenham are moving quickly to bolster their squad ahead of the new campaign. Already, they have tried to bring Germany midfielder Sebastian Rode to White Hart Lane, only for the midfielder to reject them for Borussia Dortmund.

Mauricio Pochettino has also made signing another forward a priority. He confirmed in late April Marseille striker Michy Batshuayi was one such players the club was considering this summer. However, recent reports would suggest Spurs have shifted their attentions to AZ Alkmaar's Vincent Janssen.

Janssen, 21, finished as the Eredivisie's top scorer last season and according to Sky Sports, the striker has travelled to London to hold talks with Tottenham officials. AZ are reportedly asking for a fee of £12m for the player.

The north London club are also monitoring Lyon defender Samuel Umtiti, but Barcelona's interest in the centre-half could see them look to other targets.