Mourinho reportedly set to hand Tottenham a transfer blow, £43m set to sign deal

Thu 14 October 2021 12:15, UK

Tottenham are reportedly keen on Nicolo Zaniolo but Jose Mourinho is set to throw a spanner in the works – with the Roma ace set to sign a new deal.

, who claim talks between Roma and 22-year-old Zaniolo are progressing well. A new deal could be signed soon.

Towards the end of September, said Tottenham had renewed a long-standing interest in Zaniolo, who is rated at £43m ().

A fully-fledged Italy international, Zaniolo has sparkled for Roma over the last 12 months – playing in numerous positions, out wide or in midfield.

Fabio Paratici, of course, has plenty of contacts in Italian football. He brought in Pierluigi Gollini and Cristian Romero from Serie A.

Zaniolo could be next, but it appears Mourinho will prevent such a deal from happening. That is, by handing Zaniolo a new contract.

Mourinho strikes Tottenham blow: Zaniolo set to sign Roma deal

Tottenham need a midfielder. But perhaps not one in Zaniolo’s mould. They need one to partner Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg in a double midfield pivot.

Oliver Skipp is the club’s best option at the moment, but is he good enough to start? Probably not, if Tottenham want to be in the top six.

Zaniolo is not that type of player. He can play out wide, as a 10 or maybe slightly deeper as an eight. But he is certainly not box to box.

Tottenham have plenty like Zaniolo – in Dele Alli, Gio Lo Celso and Tanguy Ndombele. But Ndombele and Dele have been linked with an exit.