Transfer News: Tottenham Hotspur, AC Milan show interest in AS Roma star Nicolo Zaniolo
According to the Italian publication Calciomercato (h/t The Express), Tottenham Hotspur and AC Milan have expressed their interest in signing AS Roma star Nicolo Zaniolo this summer. He has been in fine form this season, having overcome the damaging injury blows that he suffered over the past few years.
Fabio Paratici and Antonio Conte are looking to raid Serie A once again, and they have identified Zaniolo as a potential target. The attacking midfielder was targeted by Tottenham in the past when Christian Eriksen left for Inter Milan. Paratici is keen on signing the Roma ace, having tracked him when he was at Juventus.
Spurs will face competition from Milan, who are keeping tabs on Zaniolo as well. The Italian has also attracted interest from Atletico Madrid, Sevilla and Juve ahead of the summer transfer window. He could be available for a fee of around £59million in transfer fees after this season.
Spurs need Zaniolo?
Jose Mourinho has mostly used Zaniolo as a right-winger this term, although the 22-year-old has also played as a second striker or even a centre-forward at times. His flexibility to play in a host of positions would be an attractive prospect, as it is a valuable asset to have, after all.
Zaniolo has seven goals and eight assists to his tally this campaign from 36 appearances across all competitions. He has returned to action strongly after the injury issues he had to deal with a couple of years ago. His progression was halted by those setbacks, but he seems to be in line to finally achieve the potential he had shown beforehand.
The current valuation is a bit pricey for the Serie A ace despite many years being left in his playing career. While he has a contract until 2024, his situation over the last few years should certainly bring down the asking price a bit to reasonable terms. Hence, we must haggle and reduce that fee to something more feasible.
What’s more, there also seems to be some tension between the Roma midfielder and Mourinho, which certainly plays to our strengths. Unrest should bring down the price even further as it acts against the Giallorossi’s interest to keep hold of someone who is not happy with life in Rome.
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Moreover, Zaniolo is also demanding a significant pay rise which could assist us in our pursuit if Mourinho’s side are not willing to meet his demands. Hence, we could potentially be handed certain advantages in our pursuit, although the competition does not make it any easier for us.
We would be facing off against some of the top clubs in Europe, so prising away the Italian international would be a stern challenge indeed. It will be interesting to see what lies in store for the North London side’s pursuit of the midfielder ahead of the next season.
