Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly confident of signing Nicolo Zaniolo.
According to The Mirror, Tottenham Hotspur are now confident that they can sign Roma playmaker Nicolo Zaniolo in a move which would see Toby Alderweireld head in the opposite direction.
Alderweireld, 30, has been a star for Spurs over the last four years, but he has a £25million release clause which can be activated up to two weeks before the end of the transfer window in England.
The defender is yet to receive massive interest, but Roma are very keen, even if they can’t afford the release clause up front, meaning the clubs are discussing other ways.
It’s now believed that Tottenham are confident they can engineer a cash-plus-Alderweireld deal for Roma playmaker Zaniolo, which has now been rumoured for a couple of weeks.
Zaniolo wants a pay rise at Roma, which seemingly isn’t forthcoming, and amid claims from Alfredo Pedulla that Zaniolo has told Spurs he’s willing to join, they may now press ahead with a move.
The 20-year-old would be a hugely exciting addition after a superb first season at Roma, notching six goals and two assists for the Serie A side whilst earning rave reviews.
Zaniolo’s versatility will be hugely appealing to Pochettino, as he can play in midfield, as a number 10, as a wide man or even as a striker, and at 6ft 3in tall, he can become an imposing figure too.
One factor to mention is Gianluca Mancini. We posited last night that Roma’s imminent deal for Mancini may impact the Alderweireld-Zaniolo move, as the Italian had been put on the back burner in favour of targeting Alderweireld.
It seemed that signing Mancini pointed towards moving on from Alderweireld, but these new claims now suggest they could go for both after the exit of Kostas Manolas – and give Spurs new hope of getting Zaniolo.
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