Spurs Transfer News: Boost for Tottenham as Nicolo Zaniolo makes AS Roma contract demand
Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool, and Chelsea were linked with a move to sign Nicolo Zaniolo this summer, but the player stayed put at AS Roma.
However, according to Italian outlets La Gazzetta dello Sport and Il Messaggero (h/t the Express), Zaniolo’s entourage is now demanding more than the £3million per season in wages that Roma are prepared to offer him in a new contract.
I Giallorossi want to extend the Italy international’s stay until at least 2027 and the new contract would potentially fend off interest from other clubs for the time being. However, it is ‘unlikely’ that Roma will accommodate his demands.
And this would serve as a direct boost for Spurs, who were heavily linked with him before the end of the summer transfer window. The question arises if the Lilywhites actually need a player like him in their team.
What should Spurs do?
It remains to be seen if the club retain their interest in the player, to begin with. But from how we have started the season, Zaniolo would find it hard to displace the in-form Richarlison, Dejan Kulusevski, Harry Kane, and Son Heung-min.
Hence, a space down the right flank where Emerson Royal plays is one spot where he can be potentially accommodated if signed. Manager Antonio Conte is apparently not the biggest fan of the Brazil international, after all.
Otherwise, Zaniolo could play as a midfielder to add the creative nous that our team has lacked in the middle on several occasions. However, it remains to be seen if he can excel in a role that requires a lot of work off the ball.
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- Journo: Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte “not the biggest fan” of Emerson Royal
Zaniolo’s contract situation is one that Spurs would be wise to monitor. If they really do retain an interest in the player, then they would be hoping that contract talks fall apart with Jose Mourinho’s team. His current deal expires in the summer of 2024 (Transfermarkt).
