Tottenham Hotspur have now shown an interest in securing a transfer for AS Roma centre-back Gianluca Mancini this summer. Spurs believe the Italian would improve their defence.
That is according to Calciomercato, which reports Tottenham have begun exploring a move for Mancini. But the Premier League team will face competition from Inter Milan if they try to lure him away from Serie A. San Siro chiefs are also considering raiding Roma this summer.
Mancini has put clubs on alert ahead of the next transfer window after delivering a leading role under Jose Mourinho. The 26-year-old has started all 25 of the Giallorossi’s Italian top-flight matches so far this term. He has also worn the armband as one of their vice-captains.
Mourinho also saw Mancini emerge as Roma’s hero at home to Juventus on Sunday. He hit the Stadio Olimpico natives’ only goal in a 1-0 win against the Bianconeri with a long-range strike. It was also only his eighth goal in 162 games for Roma across all competitions so far.
Roma signed Mancini from Atalanta BC back in July 2019 in an initial loan deal worth up to €23m (£20.5m). The move included a €2m (£2m) loan fee, plus a €13m (£11.5m) obligation to buy and up to €8m (£7m) in add-ons. He also later agreed to a new contract in July 2022.
Tottenham can sign Vinnie Jones 2.0 with a transfer from Roma for Gianluca Mancini
Mancini is now under contract on a £110k-a-week deal with Roma until June 2027. But the nine-cap Italy international’s efforts under Mourinho have tempted clubs to eye a transfer for the summer sales. Yet the Giallorossi boss would likely fight to retain a centre-half he loves.
Tottenham and Inter Milan are showing the most concrete interest in a transfer with Roma for Mancini. Spurs and the Nerazzurri would, however, need to edge out competition from a host of rival suitors. Despite his contract, the Italian is highly sought-after for the summer.
Mancini is also coveted by clubs like Tottenham for a transfer from Roma despite receiving eight yellow cards in 34 matches across all competitions so far this term. His three cautions in five Europa League group stage games meant he missed their last tie against Ludogorets.
His volume of bookings, having also received 21 yellow cards in 46 matches last term, have also led to comparisons with Vinnie Jones and his idol Marco Materazzi. TuttoMercatoWEB notes the defender is the ‘modern answer’ to the respective Wimbledon and Italy legends.
It claims: “If we want to find a reference for Mancini, on the pitch he is very reminiscent of the vehemence of the historic Wimbledon centre-back. Someone for whom it was important to intervene, often intimidate, certainly provoke.
“Someone who wanted to leave a mark on the pitch and in his opponents and amen if this was anything but positive… Take it or leave it, like the bad boys of the past, like his idol Materazzi, like Pasquale Bruno, like the very bad English.”
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