Key Tottenham transfer target stretchered off as late deal now looks very unlikely

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Tottenham Hotspur want Nicolo Zaniolo but the Roma playmaker has picked up yet another injury, this time suffering damage to his shoulder.

There are always names that come up in every window and it feels like Zaniolo is approaching that territory for Tottenham.

Zaniolo isn’t quite on the Leandro Damiao level just yet, but he’s certainly on his way.

From last summer to January of this year and now this summer, Zaniolo seems to have been a name on Tottenham’s radar for a while now.

Tottenham Hotspur want Nicolo Zaniolo

Reports from Italy suggested in July that Tottenham have offered cash plus Joe Rodon in a deal to sign Zaniolo.

Rodon has since joined Rennes on loan, so that deal is off the table, but Tottenham remain keen on signing Zaniolo.

Calciomercato added just days ago that Antonio Conte is determined to sign Zaniolo having somewhat fallen in love with his fellow Italian.

Fabio Paratici may well be chasing a late-window deal, but Tottenham’s hopes of a deal have been dealt a blow.

Roma took on Cremonese in Serie A on Monday and grabbed a 1-0 win thanks to Chris Smalling’s winner.

Yet the big news surrounded Zaniolo, as he was stretchered off the pitch just before half time.

Zaniolo went down and suffered a dislocated shoulder, which should keep him out for a while and certainly beyond the transfer deadline.

Jose Mourinho has confirmed that Zaniolo will be out ‘for a while’ and Roma are now making plans to try and find a replacement in the transfer market.

This is just another injury blow for Zaniolo, who has previously suffered not one but two torn anterior cruciate ligament injuries.

The 23-year-old may well feel cursed after this latest blow, and it’s hard to imagine Tottenham coughing up a significant fee whilst knowing that Zaniolo is facing some time on the sidelines.