Tottenham Hotspur’s interest in AS Roma midfielder Nicolo Zaniolo is a move to ‘keep an eye on’ this summer.
This is according to the reliable Spurs correspondent Alasdair Gold has been speaking on his YouTube channel about the Italian as he provided the latest transfer news from Hotspur Way.
Reports have strongly linked the Lilywhites with an interest in the Roma midfielder who is believed to be valued in the region of €50m (£42.3m) by the Serie A side.
There have even been some reports from Italy (via Daily Mail) suggesting Jose Mourinho is appealing to the board for them not to sell Zaniolo this summer amid Tottenham’s efforts.
And although Gold insists those at Spurs are playing down the links to the midfielder, he does feel as if it is something to keep an eye on in these final weeks of the window:
“One to keep an eye on, but I don’t know. I don’t know. It doesn’t seem whenever I mention his name, it does seem to be kind of shut down quite quickly. Like I say, mostly because it’s talking about outgoings but I wouldn’t rule it out entirely.
“Certainly, like I say, because I’ve always been interested in him. He’s been on the list forever. But yeah, it’s a strange one, it is a strange one, Zaniolo. Certainly doesn’t seem to be as close at this moment.”
TIF Thoughts on Gold’s comments…
There were certainly games in which we feel Spurs could have done with an attacking midfielder last season where the Lilyhwites struggled at times to break through teams like Burnley.
Would Zaniolo be a smart signing for Spurs?
Yes
No
However, Conte’s style of play does not typically incorporate a central attacking midfielder as he looks for creativity to come from out wide with his wingers and wing-backs.
With this in mind, we wonder whether Zaniolo, who has been hailed as ‘unreal’, would even be open to a move to north London with no guaranteed regular football on offer in Conte’s current system.
The Italian – when fit – has been a prominent member of Roma’s side with over 25 league appearances in each of his last three seasons, so would Conte’s project appeal to the 23-year-old?