Sky Italy journalist Gianluca Di Marzio has told Sky Sports that Tottenham are now unlikely to sign Roma attacker Nicolo Zaniolo this month – with the two sides unable to come to an agreement over the type of deal for the Italy star.
Zaniolo, 23, has long been linked with Tottenham. Last season, he produced 17 goal involvements and scored the goal that saw Jose Mourinho’s side win the first-ever Europa Conference League. This season, injury has hampered Zaniolo.
Contracted until June 2024, talks over a new deal have broken down and now, Roma are keen to sell. Italy journalist Rudy Galetti says Tottenham had agreed personal terms with Zaniolo. Roma want to sell Zaniolo on a permanent basis.
That is according to Di Marzio. He told Sky Sports’ Transfer Show that Spurs want Zaniolo on loan, with an obligation – which would suit Roma. Spurs only want an obligation if the North London side qualify for the Champions League.
“I think it’s unlikely,” Di Marzio said, on Tottenham’s chances of signing Zaniolo. “Spurs offer is similar to the Kulusevski deal with Juve. A loan with option, an option could become an obligation if they qualified for the Champions League.
“Roma want to sell the player without an obligation subject to conditions. They want to sell him. At the moment, it has stopped. Danjuma is arriving at Spurs. It depends on the future of Bryan Gil and Lucas Moura. There is no agreement.”
Di Marzio: Tottenham now unlikely to sign Roma attacker Zaniolo
A shame, because Zaniolo is a top, top player. He fits the kind of player Antonio Conte likes. A player that is over 6ft, standing at a lofty 6ft 2in, especially for a player that is often used out wide, as a secondary striker or even a no.10.
But with Spurs hijacking an Everton move for Arnaut Danjuma, the need for Zaniolo is less. It will be interesting to see if Spurs reignite a move, if the likes of Moura or Gil are allowed to go. A player that Daniele De Rossi said is “incredible”.
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