Douglas Costa would be a cheaper alternative to Bale to offer pace and directness

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Juventus are willing to listen to offers this summer for Brazilian international wideman Douglas Costa, according to Italian outlet Calcio Mercato.

They report that the relationship between Costa and the Italian champions has not been perfect this season and the prospect of him leaving the club this summer cannot be ruled out.

The report says that Juve would listen to offers of 50m euros (£43.1m) for Costa and Calcio Mercato also credited Tottenham with an interest in the winger’s signature earlier this month.

But this June also marks the end of a clause reported by the Telegraph that gives Spurs first refusal in terms of matching any bid for former talisman Gareth Bale.

And if Tottenham are in the market for a new, direct, left-footed winger who is capable of cutting in from the right, both Bale and Costa would be strong options.

But there would appear to be greater value in a deal for Costa at under £45m – a fee it is difficult to see being sufficient to prize the Welshman away from the Bernabeu.

28-year-old Costa is also a year younger than Bale – and they all count as players, especially ones with injury records like Bale’s, approach 30.