OPINION
Roma midfielder Nicolo Zaniolo’s future surely lies in Italy after he said he felt “positive” about talks being held to try and keep him at the club.
Speaking to Calciomercato, the two-time Italian international – who chipped in with six goals and two assists from 36 appearances last season – Zaniolo also said that his agent is going to talk with Roma.
“I am very positive about the meeting to be held soon,” the 19-year-old said. “My agent will talk about this with the club, but I am positive.”
This has got to be bad news for Tottenham fans. An earlier report from the Daily Mirror claimed that the North London club were planning a £40million bid for the player, which would have been a great move had it come off.
But after these latest comments, it looks as if Zaniolo’s mind is purely focused on staying at Roma, and it sounds like he is looking forward to getting the talks started and securing his future with the club.
Zaniolo would have been – and possibly still could be – a major coup for Tottenham, especially if Christian Eriksen departs this summer.
There have been reports that the Danish international could leave for Real Madrid after the Champions League final against Liverpool, and if he was to go, Zaniolo would be an ideal replacement.
Like Eriksen, he has shown that he all the qualities of a good attacking midfielder having added goals and assists to his game, and – being only 19 – he is the kind of player who would thrive under Mauricio Pochettino’s leadership.
One thing that could potentially benefit Spurs, however, is the fact that Roma missed out on Champions League football for next season on the final day of the Serie A season on Sunday, with Atalanta taking the final spot.
If Zaniolo wants Champions League football, it is clear from the Mirror’s report that Spurs would be an ideal destination to get it.
But overall, after these latest quotes, it seems that despite their best efforts, Zaniolo is only focused on staying in Rome and Spurs are set to miss out on the player.