Tottenham Hotspur have made their first big player signing in over a year with the €62 million deal to bring Tanguy Ndombele to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, but their summer spending is not going to stop anytime soon. The London club are reportedly still keen on signing 20-year-old Italian midfielder Nicolò Zaniolo from Roma. A report claims that Spurs could offer experienced centre-back Toby Alderweireld in the deal to bring Zaniolo to England.
Daily Mail are reporting that Roma are interested in signing the Belgian central defender which could help in Spurs signing Zaniolo. Alderweireld has a clause in his contract which says that clubs can purchase him for £25 million before July 25. The 30-year-old is entering the final year of his contract at Spurs after the club triggered a one-year contract extension clause earlier this year.
Zaniolo, meanwhile, is valued at around £40 million by Roma, having joined the club last season in the deal which saw Radja Nainggolan move in the other direction.
Smart move?
This exchange plus cash deal seems like a good deal for both parties. Spurs will not want to lose out on transfer fees if they let Alderweireld leave the club next year on a free transfer. £25 million is good money for a 30-year-old player who is entering the final year of his contract, and Spurs must ensure that he’s sold before the transfer window closes.
The English club will also have to buy a player to replace Christian Eriksen, who is all but sure to leave the club before the start of the next season. Zaniolo is a young and talented player who could possibly fill the Eriksen role at Spurs, and at just 20 years of age, has a lot of football ahead of him, which makes the rumoured fee of £40 million a very good deal in this inflated transfer market.
Zaniolo impressed at Roma in his first full season in the Serie A, scoring 6 times in all competitions and providing 2 assists. The 20-year-old’s direct dribbling and pace will be important in counter-attacking situations, while his vision and finishing will result in several goals and assists in the Premier League next season.
Pochettino will also welcome the idea of managing the young and talented technically astute midfielder whose fresh legs will add value to the Spurs’ midfield which is likely to sport a new look next season.
