‘Arsenal? No’: Di Marzio says 23-year-old will only join Tottenham, if he moves to PL

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Sky Italy journalist Gianluca Di Marzio has told WettFreunde that Tottenham are the only club that have a chance of signing Roma attacker Nicolo Zaniolo in the January transfer window – despite reports that Arsenal want the Italian.

Zaniolo, 23, was regularly linked with a move to Tottenham in the summer. But a move did not materialise. Italian newspaper Gazzetta Dello Sport even claim that Tottenham players told Zaniolo to join during a friendly with Roma.

But he has remained at Roma, despite his contractual situation. His current deal at Roma expires in 2024 and it is edging ever closer to a point where he has just 18 months left to run. Tottenham are likely to retain an interest.

That is, despite the signing of Richarlison from Everton. Di Marzio gave an update in an interview with WettFreunde and he states that Tottenham are the only viable club capable of signing Zaniolo. He does not believe Arsenal can.

“Nicolo Zaniolo only had one real request in the summer and that was Tottenham. Tottenham tried to get him but with a swap deal with other players or a loan option. AS Roma didn’t want to sell the player under those conditions.

“Arsenal or other clubs? No. Only Tottenham can come back. Tottenham sporting director Fabio Paratici is one of the managers Zaniolo has wanted for a long time. Even when he was at Juventus,” Di Marzio reports.

Di Marzio: Tottenham only club that have chance of signing Zaniolo

Do Tottenham still need him? Well, injuries to Lucas Moura, Richarlison and Dejan Kulusevski this season shows that when Spurs do have an injury, they have to rely on Son Heung-min and Harry Kane. Tiredness could be a factor.

So, bringing in another body. One of the quality of the aforementioned names, would be a huge help to Antonio Conte. A player that Conte will have watched regularly. Spurs had a £46million bid rejected for Zaniolo (CMW).

But you would imagine, that with six months less on his deal, a bid in a similar region in January might tempt Roma into selling the attacker. Tottenham need him, but it all depends on whether Zaniolo signs a new deal at Roma.