Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho is keen to sign Roma star Nicolo Zaniolo this summer.
Spurs had been interested in Zaniolo long before Mourinho took over from Mauricio Pochettino but it now seems they are one step closer to completing a deal for the attacking midfielder.
According to La Repubblica, as cited by Sport Witness and relayed by Ricky Sacks, the Spurs boss is very keen on signing Zaniolo in the summer.
Zaniolo has been described as one of the best players of his generation after breaking through the ranks at AS Roma and becoming one of their key players in the process. La Repubblica claimed that he has fallen out with his club following a public spat with Paulo Fonseca.
He was criticised by the Roma manager for his performance against Verona and that hasn’t gone down well with the 21-year-old.
Recent reports suggested that Spurs are leading the race to sign Zaniolo in the summer, alongside Juventus and Inter Milan, although he wants to stay in Serie A for one more season.
Roma could be forced to sell players as they are struggling to cope with the financial pressures of these unprecedented circumstances and they fear they could lose him for a cheap price.
Zaniolo, who left Inter Milan for Roma for £4m in 2018, has emerged as one of Europe’s hottest prospects and the Giallorossi believe that he could become Francisco Totti’s heir. However, Roma don’t want to sell him unless there is no other option, and they have slapped a hefty price tag of £50m on his head.
His representatives will hold tentative talks with the Italian giants but they face an uphill struggle to convince him to stay at the Stadio Olimpico. Roma have insisted they have no intention of selling him this summer and believe nobody has the cash to buy him at the moment.
Daniel Levy has made it clear that he will not be spending “rivers of money” in the transfer window and Zaniolo is surely outside of Mourinho’s price range.
Spurs struggled to score goals during Harry Kane’s absence, while they have largely failed to fill the void since Christian Eriksen left for Inter Milan, although Mourinho has used Giovani Lo Celso and Harry Winks together recently.
Nevertheless, the manager still wants to sign a new playmaker, but it is likely he will have to look for a cheaper alternative to Zaniolo elsewhere.
Tottenham fans, do you think Daniel Levy should sign Zaniolo? Let us know in the comments below!