Cagliari have boosted Tottenham Hotspur’s pursuit of Nahitan Nandez by increasing their efforts to sign Emiliano Martinez as his replacement, according to Corriere dello Sport.
The Serie A side are seeking ways to reinforce Leonardo Semplici’s midfield as they wait to see how Nandez’s situation will evolve over the final weeks of the window. Tottenham have started to show an interest in the Uruguayan, but no deal has yet been agreed.
Semplici will also be without Marko Rog for Gli Isolani’s season opener against Spezia, after injury ruled the Croatian out. So, Cagliari are increasing their efforts to negotiate terms with Nacional Montevideo for Martinez, who turned 22 on Tuesday.
Tottenham will be thrilled to see Cagliari increase their efforts to sign a replacement for Nandez in Martinez. Calciomercato report Fabio Paratici has asked to sign Nandez on loan with a €30m (£25.5m) obligation to buy next summer.
Cagliari are not concerned that Martinez does not possess a community passport as they can still register non-EU players. The Uruguayan enforcer caught Gli Isolani’s attention after breaking through at his Primera Division side last year.
The Sardegna Arena outfit also have an alternative, in case Martinez proves unobtainable, in AC Milan’s Tommaso Pobega. Semplici’s side could target Pobega on loan after a strong season with Spezia last term. But Sampdoria and Udinese also admire the 22-year-old, who is yet to make his competitive first-team debut for the Rossoneri.
Tottenham boost in Nandez pursuit as Cagliari eye Martinez
Tottenham Managing Director Paratici will be glad Cagliari are preparing for life without Nandez in Martinez after submitting an offer. While no terms are in place, it at least shows the Serie A side are ready for what could unfold.
Martinez arriving at the Sardegna Arena will offer Semplici a ready-made replacement, so he is not weak in the role. Then, Cagliari may be more receptive to the terms Tottenham have proposed in their attempts to sign £42,000-per-week star Nandez.
Cagliari could almost repeat their successes from signing Nandez by acquiring Martinez, too. He would arrive in Italy from the Uruguayan top-flight, while Nandez joined after two seasons in Argentine with Boca Juniors for his first exploration outside of his homeland.
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