AS Roma have reportedly submitted an opening bid for Sampdoria forward Patrik Schick, who has been a Tottenham Hotspur target for a while now.
According to a report by Calciomercato, Tottenham Hotspur could miss out on a chance to sign the highly-rated Patrik Schick with AS Roma closing in on a move. They are believed to have submitted an opening bid, and Sampdoria are also interested in selling their star on a permanent deal to the Giallorossi.
Schick’s contract included a €25 million release clause, which expired in June. Since then, Sampdoria have been keen on selling the player on a permanent deal to procure a high transfer fee. As things stand, if Roma are willing to shell out the asking price, Schick could be on his way to join them this summer.
Schick first came into the fray through the youth system at Sparta Prague, and he spent two years with the club before moving to Sampdoria last summer. He managed to score 14 goals in 36 games for the Serie A side.
At Tottenham, Mauricio Pochettino has been keen on securing a deal for Schick to relieve Harry Kane of some responsibilities, while also handing him some rest from time to time.
Signing a quality striker could help them in player rotation and Schick will ideally replace Vincent Janssen, who has failed to live up to his potential after a £17 million move from AZ last summer. The Dutchman scored only two goals in 24 appearances – one of them being from the penalty spot.
Interestingly, Schick has only made 12 starts, meaning most of his goals came from playing a cameo role as a substitute. Probably, that is why Pochettino was so keen on the player – he has been seeking somebody who is comfortable with not starting, but still manages to contribute for Spurs.
The young striker was relatively unheard of before the start of last season, but he has gradually become one of Europe’s most sought-after talents. He also fits the profile of the type of player the Spurs are after. However, the race to sign Schick is heating up with Roma believed to be front-runners.
If Pochettino is really interested in landing the player, he will have to splash quite an amount on the 21-year-old, in order to match – or even increase – Sampdoria’s asking price. It now remains to be seen if Spurs are able to win the race to sign Schick summer, or face disappointment in their pursuit of the player.
