Tottenham’s transfer window has got off to a flyer, with Tanguy Ndombele and Jack Clarke almost simultaneously ending their 517 day wait for a signing. The incomings don’t appear to be slowing down either, with Ryan Sessegnon and Dani Ceballos both subject of heavy rumour. For one player – however – a move doesn’t seem so likely.
Nicolo Zaniolo is a name that every Tottenham fan will now know but one that many may have never seen. The 20-year-old midfielder had been touted as a possible target, with the Daily Mail reporting Tottenham scouts to have been particularly impressed.
The link came after the Italian scored four goals and assisted two in 27 Serie A games for Roma last season. He also played seven times in the Champions League, scoring twice in a 2-1 win against Porto (per Transfermarkt).
His performances led to significant praise from high profile names such as Danielle de Rossi and Francesco Totti (per Uefa), who said: “He is a prototype of the modern attacking midfielder, with great physical strength and a delicate left foot.”
While the midfielder certainly sounds an appealing prospect, Calcio Mercato have now reported that no negotiations are underway between Roma and either Tottenham or Juventus, who are also said to be interested.
It comes as a blow to Tottenham who are clearly on the search for a potential Christian Eriksen replacement. The Dane has reportedly instructed his agent to say yes to any potential offers from Madrid. Tottenham have also bid £53m for Giovani Lo Celso and Sky Sports have stated the north London club are in need of departures to create funds for any incomings.
Should Eriksen leave, Zaniolo looks a truly promising candidate to replace him. Of course, being just 20-years-old, the potential is undoubtedly there. However, his playing style and versatility also draw many parallels with the potentially Madrid-bound playmaker. Zaniolo is comfortable on both feet and prefers to play in a central role, but has been utilised both behind the striker and on the wings during his time at Roma (per Uefa).
His former coach Stefano Vecchi, whom he worked under at Inter Milan, compared him to both Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard due to the number of goals he is capable of scoring.
Clearly, there is the potential of a top quality player in Nicolo Zaniolo. Should Tottenham pursue the link, it will certainly be exciting, but as it stands, it isn’t looking promising. Perhaps a redeeming factor is the last youngster Tottenham bought from Roma was Erik Lamela, who certainly hasn’t set the Premier League alight with just 14 goals and 22 assists in 129 Premier League appearances (per Premierleague.com).
Tottenham fans, what do you make of the latest Zaniolo news? Do you think he has what it takes to prosper at Tottenham? Let us know!
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