Tottenham exploring potential deal for Roma ace Nicolo Zaniolo
Gianluigi Longari
- Updated: 4 Aug 2022 14:07 BST
- 3 min read
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Tottenham Hotspur are exploring a potential deal for Roma star Nicolo Zaniolo, FootballTransfers understands.
Spurs have made Zaniolo their ideal attacking target before the summer transfer window closes.
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Roma would like to keep Zaniolo, but there is no guarantee he will stay if a substantial offer is tabled given that the winger’s contract expires in 2024.
Tottenham have been working on the Zaniolo deal for around a month now, ever since Spurs sporting director Fabio Paratici travelled to Milan to work on a number of transfer deals.
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Paratici a big fan of Zaniolo
Paratici is a big fan of Zaniolo, and has previously tried to sign him for his former club Juventus.
Spurs are currently trying to understand the total cost of any deal for Zaniolo before making a concrete offer.
Tottenham could set up a meeting next week with Roma to discuss the deal further as it is possible that the Giallorossi’s sporting director Tiago Pinto will travel to London.
Tiago Pinto is expected in London not only to discuss the Zaniolo deal but also to complete Justin Kluivert’s transfer from Roma to Fulham.
Zaniolo’s future at Roma is shrouded in doubt currently as talks over a renewal to his contract have made little headway.
This has prompted the club to consider their options and if Zaniolo doesn’t extend this summer, they could decide to sell to avoid his price-tag plummeting next year.
Zaniolo himself would prefer to remain in Italy and it has been reported that he wanted to join Juventus this summer.
The Bianconeri were in the race to sign Zaniolo earlier in the window but have recently pulled out amid reports Roma were asking for €50 million, which was deemed too much.
How good is Zaniolo?
Zaniolo was regarded as Italy’s most exciting young talent when he emerged onto the scene as a teenager four years ago.
But two ACL tears – one in either knee – kept him out of action for over a year and he has not yet returned to his former levels.
He scored only two Serie A goals last season, although he did find the net six times in Europe and hit the winner in the Conference League final victory over Feyenoord.
Tall, strong, skilful and a direct dribbler, Zaniolo boasts a wonderful left foot. He recently turned 23 and he has scored two goals in nine Italy appearances.
