Tottenham Hotspur have been asked to fork out €40 million to sign AS Roma playmaker Nicolo Zaniolo next summer.
A recent report from Calciomercato.it has offered an update on the future of Nicolo Zaniolo. The talented playmaker is facing an uncertain future in the Italian capital, with the club having second thoughts over retaining his services. Zaniolo’s current contract in Rome expires in 2024, and it appears the club are in no hurry to renew his deal.
The Giallorossi are even believed to be open to listening to offers if they meet their €40 million demands. The report further states that along with Juventus, Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur could be in a position to wrap up the signing of the Italian international next summer, thanks to the influence of Fabio Paratici.
The club’s sporting director played a key role in helping Spurs secure the deadline day signings of Rodrigo Bentancur and Dejan Kulusevski. At the same time, Paratici had notably sanctioned the departure of key creative outlets, including Bryan Gil, Dele Alli and Giovani Lo Celso, while Tanguy Ndombele returned to his former club Lyon.
It has accentuated the need for reinforcements in the creative midfield department. That is where someone like Nicolo Zaniolo, who is regarded as one of the most talented playmakers in Serie A, could come in handy.
A product of the Fiorentina youth academy, Zaniolo’s career has been marred by a nasty anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. But the 22-year-old is still held in high regard due to his technical abilities coupled with the versatility that allows him to play in a wider attacking role. It makes him a viable target for a Tottenham side looking for more creativity in the final third.
From a tactical sense, Zaniolo could be the ideal midfield partner for the midfield duo of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Rodrigo Bentancur, allowing Conte to revert to a more familiar 3-5-2 formation that worked wonders at Inter. The technical prowess of Zaniolo should combine well with Hojbjerg and Bentancur’s combative style of play, thus adding another dimension to the Spurs midfield.
However, with Manchester United also reportedly involved in the race, Tottenham are set to face stiff competition in the pursuit of the Italian international. His staggering €40 million could also force Paratici to rethink, given the club may need to save up funds for a new striker amid the uncertain future of Harry Kane.
At the end of the day, a lot could depend on how Zaniolo fares during the remainder of the campaign. The Italian hasn’t had a great season, and it would not be surprising to see the youngster suffering a significant drop in valuation come summer.
