Rumour: Manchester United and Tottenham target Davide Astori priced up at £8 million

According to reports in Italy, Roma’s £5 million bid for defender Davide Astori has been rejected, with the Serie A club demanding £8 million.

Manchester United and Tottenham are said to be tracking the 27-year old Italian international, who is expected to move from Cagliari in the upcoming transfer window.

Nevertheless, Cagliari chairman Massimo Cellino – who is also a majority shareholder at Leeds United – is reluctant to part with Astori for anything less than £8 million.

Astori refused to make a £12 million switch to Russian league side Spartak Moscow in 2012, but Cagliari’s asking price is said to have dropped in light of the defender’s age.

Following the sacking of David Moyes at Man United, it is not known whether the Reds are still chasing Astori as a possible replacement for Nemanja Vidic.

Another spanner in the works could be Leeds’ historic rivalry with United and Cellino’s affiliation with the Championship club. Cellino certainly wouldn’t make a good first impression if he elected to strengthen Manchester United, particularly if Leeds United are planning for promotion in the next couple of seasons.

Davide Astori completes an average of 13 defensive actions (blocks, interceptions and clearances) per game.