Roma’s Nicolo Zaniolo remains a footballer with ‘incredible potential’ and held talks with Tottenham Hotspur regarding a move to the Premier League outfit last summer, former Serie A ace Massimo Brambati tells Tuttomercatoweb.
Barely a window has gone by over the last five years or so without Zaniolo being linked with at least one English-based club.
The Italy international’s agent admitted to the Daily Mail that Spurs had shown ‘great interest’ back in 2019 and, nearly half-a-decade later, the London giants could finally get their mitts on one of the most naturally-talented footballers of his generation.
“I like him. He’s a player who has it all. Physical strength. Explosiveness. He’s good with his head. Technically (gifted),” says Brambati, a former Serie A defender who now works as an agent in Italy.
Tottenham Hotspur hope to sign Nicolo Zaniolo from Jose Mourinho’s Roma
With Zaniolo’s contract expiring in 18 months’ time, Roma are keen to cash in before his market value diminishes further. According to TMW, the one-time Inter Milan youngster could cost around £30 million; Tottenham currently the most likely destination with Antonio Conte and Fabio Paratici both big fans of Zaniolo.
According to Brambati, the 23-year-old with the strength of an ox and the grace of a ballerina came close to joining long-time admirers Tottenham a few months ago. 2023, then, could finally be the year when this most long-running saga comes to an end.
“I know that, last summer, his father met with the Tottenham bosses. (The move) almost seemed done,” Brambati adds. “The fact that Conte wanted him means that he saw something to work on, to make him better.
“He has incredible potential. Let’s remember that two injuries of that kind would kill an elephant. But he’s still there.”
Zaniolo ruptured the cruciate ligament in both knees back in 2020; spending over a year on the sidelines as a result. With eight goals and nine assists, he bounced back superbly last season, scoring the winner in Roma’s UEFA Conference League final victory over Feyenoord.
Better than Dusan Vlahovic?
There are still debates, meanwhile, about his best position. A dynamic attacking midfielder by trade, Zaniolo impressed in a new-look ‘number nine’ role under Jose Mourinho in 2021/22.
“Zaniolo has incredible potential,” says Roma legend Zbigniew Boniek.
“If you ask people what his position is, then everyone will give you a different response. In my view, he is a classic ‘number nine’. He can protect the ball, has physical strength, turns defenders well, is good in the air and can shoot.
“I always say when I see (Juventus’ Dusan) Vlahovic play that Zaniolo could do just as well. Perhaps even better, because he also has this physicality. He really is a great player.”
According to Calciomercato and Gazzetta dello Sport, Zaniolo has also registered on the radars of Leeds United, West Ham and Arsenal. The Gunners appear to be bowing out of contention, however, with Leandro Trossard on his way from Brighton.
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