Tottenham Hotspur are looking to freshen up their squad this summer and are plotting a move for Roma captain Lorenzo Pellegrini.
The 25-year-old Italy international has developed into one of the finest central midfielders in Serie A over the past few seasons.
Pellegrini has made 152 appearances for Roma in all competitions since his arrival in 2017, scoring 21 goals and providing 34 assists in the process.
The Italian has just one year left on his contract and Roma are keen to tie him down to a new deal. According to the Athletic, Spurs would have to meet Pellegrini’s €30 million (£25.6 million) buyout clause to secure his services.
The report also states that while Spurs are keeping tabs on Pellegrini, he is not their top priority.
The London club are currently well-stocked in midfield, but could be set to lose Moussa Sissoko and Harry Winks in the summer. Thus, a move for Pellegrini would make sense.
Is Lorenzo Pellegrini worth the fuss?
Spurs desperately need reinforcements as they look to return to the top four and secure Champions League football next season.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side were heavily reliant on Son Heung-min and Harry Kane for creativity and goals last season, and the arrival of Lorenzo Pellegrini could ease some of the pressure on Spurs’ attackers.
Lorenzo Pellegrini has evolved into one of the most productive creative players in Europe. He averaged 1.9 key passes per game for Roma last season, more than any other player in the club. He is technically sound and likes to pick up the ball in advanced areas before releasing runners with pinpoint passes.
Pellegrini is also strong and agile, making him hard to dispossess. He has the ability to dribble out of tight spaces and advance the ball forward. He also has an eye for goal. The Italian is a willing presser and adept at breaking up opposition attacks. He averaged 1.3 interceptions and 1.2 tackles per game last season.
Moreover, he is versatile and can be deployed anywhere in the midfield. At Spurs, he could form a formidable partnership with Tanguy Ndombele and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg in the center of the park. But, ultimately it’s his creativity and flair that are his biggest assets.
At 25, he could prove to be a solid long-term acquisition for Spurs, who are looking to return to Europe’s elite club competition after missing out for two consecutive seasons.