Tottenham Hotspur are ramping up their efforts to land AS Roma star Nicolo Zaniolo
According to AS Roma Live, North London giants Tottenham Hotspur are stepping up their interest in securing a move for AS Roma star Nicolo Zaniolo in the ongoing January transfer window.
The 23-year-old has long been on the club’s radar and is admired by Antonio Conte. The Spurs manager, alongside Fabio Paratici, will be well aware of Zaniolo’s potential from their time in Italy and will be keen to get him on board at the lane.
Zaniolo’s standing at the Stadio Olimpico has waned of late, and he is no longer an untouchable star on the Roma roster. Paulo Dybala’s arrival last summer has given Jose Mourinho and co a new attacking lynchpin and it can make losing a talent such as Zaniolo bearable.
The player, for his part, is seeking a change in scenery and could become the latest player to swap Serie A for Tottenham. Roma are also willing to let the player leave but on their terms.
I Lupi will not entertain any loan offers for the player and are seeking to have him move on a permanent deal. The most they would compromise on is a January followed by an obligatory clause that makes the deal permanent in the summer.
Tottenham have already made their opening play for the player, falling short with their opening bid. With just days to go in the January transfer window, Paratici and co will need to up their game and get the deal over the line.
The recent losses to Arsenal and Manchester City have once again highlighted the need for reinforcements in Conte’s squad. The Spurs’ attack is too reliant on Harry Kane and Dejan Kulusevski. Son Heung-min’s fall from grace has been sudden and drastic, leaving a huge hole in the creative side of Tottenham.
Zaniolo will have big boots to fill, should he be the one to fill in for Son. he will, at the very least, offer strength in depth and hand Conte an alternative to the formerly-imperious South Korean.
Tottenham appears to be the side in the driving seat for the player. With all sides willing to see the agreement go through, there are reasons for the north Londoners to feel optimistic. Tottenham’s season is on a knife edge at the moment, and bringing in Zaniolo could prove to be their salvation for the second half of the campaign.
As for the former Golden Boy of Italian football, a change of scenery could help get his career back on track. Conte did the same with Rodrigo Bentancur and Kulusevski in recent months. Time will tell whether Zaniolo, too will join that illustrious list.
