Tottenham ‘confident’ about €45m transfer hijack; Paratici set to hold talks for priority target

Transfer News: Tottenham Hotspur confident of hijacking Juventus’ deal for Nicolo Zaniolo

According to Italian outlet Tuttosport (h/t ESPN), Tottenham Hotspur are confident that they can ‘hijack’ Juventus’ deal for Nicolo Zaniolo.

The 23-year-old creative playmaker is a ‘priority target’ for Antonio Conte in that position and Fabio Paratici is set to hold talks with AS Roma’s representatives over a potential deal.

The Old Lady are keen on signing the Italian international, who is valued at €45 million by Roma. However, Spurs are optimistic that I Giallorossi would prefer not to strengthen their direct Serie A rivals.

Juve are yet to strike an agreement for the former Inter Milan attacking midfielder. This allows Spurs ample room to swoop in and make their seventh signing this summer.

They have already signed Fraser Forster, Ivan Perisic, Djed Spence, Yves Bissouma, Richarlison, and Clement Lenglet this season. The latter is here on a season-long loan deal from Barcelona.

Conte seems to have a preference for targeting players with a connection to Serie A. Rodrigo Bentancur and Dejan Kulusevski arrived from the Old Lady in January.

The Italian manager coached Perisic during their time in Milan, while the club were heavily linked with moves for I Nerazzurri centre-backs Milan Skriniar and Alessandro Bastoni.

Zaniolo, meanwhile, has added competition at Stadio Olimpico after Jose Mourinho brought in the sensational Paulo Dybala on a free transfer. It’s not like the Italian would have it any easier if he comes to N17 either.

More Tottenham News:

• Transfer News: Dane Scarlett swaps Tottenham for Portsmouth on a season-long loan
• Alessandro Bastoni asks Tottenham Hotspur target Milan Skriniar to stay at Inter Milan
• Injury News: Raul Jimenez to miss Wolves’ Premier League clash against Tottenham Hotspur

Spurs are not short of quality widemen but at his age, he would be an investment for the future, especially with the fact that Harry Kane and Son Heung-min are approaching their 30s.