Paulo Fonseca plots triple raid on Roma once he becomes Tottenham manager
According to Italian publication La Repubblica (h/t Daily Star), Paulo Fonseca could be set to raid former employers AS Roma for three players once he is named the manager of Tottenham Hotspur.
After nearly two months of frustrating wait, Tottenham Hotspur are finally set to appoint a new manager, with Fonseca agreeing a two-year contract with the club. The 48-year-old will be succeeding Jose Mourinho as the manager of the Lilywhites, who in turn has taken over the reins at Fonseca’s former club, Roma.
And, it seems like the soon-to-be appointed Tottenham manager plans to raid Mourinho’s roster for as many as three players in the current transfer window. As per the report, Fonseca has his sights set on three of his former wards at AS Roma in defender Gianluca Mancini, midfielder Gonzalo Villar and captain Lorenzo Pellegrini.
Mancini grew into a key player and one of the most promising young centre-backs in Serie A under the tutelage of the Portuguese tactician. Moreover, considering that Tottenham are in need of a long-term replacement for veteran defender Toby Alderweireld, the Italian international can be a viable target to strengthen the backline.
As for Villar, the Spanish midfielder is another player that Fonseca relied on quite heavily during his time in Rome. The 23-year-old is a dependable player in the No. 8 as well as the No. 6 role and could be the ideal replacement for the likes of Moussa Sissoko and Harry Winks, both of whom could be leaving Tottenham.
As for Pellegrini, he was perhaps Roma’s best player last season, producing a tally of 11 goals and 9 assists. Able to play as a No. 10 or a No. 8, the Italian international is an all-action midfielder. Throw in the fact that he is entering the final year of his contract, and it is not hard to see why he would want to reunite with him at Tottenham.
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A move, though, might prove to be difficult to achieve should Mourinho have his way. Nevertheless, it seems like Fonseca has already drafted out plans as he awaits to be named the next manager of Tottenham imminently.
