Zaniolo can be Kulusevski 2.0 at Spurs

Tottenham Hotspur remain interested in signing Nicolo Zaniolo before deadline day…

What’s the word?

That’s according to Sky in Italy, who claim that Spurs want to sign the AS Roma midfielder on loan but face competition from Serie A rivals AC Milan, who could offer him a permanent switch.

It’s also thought that the 23-year-old has already rejected a move to fellow Premier League outfit AFC Bournemouth as he wants to play in Europe – interestingly, the Lilywhites will face the Rossoneri in a Champions League Round of 16 clash next month.

Roma are asking for around £26m, so it remains to be seen if the north Londoners can get a deal over the line before Tuesday night’s deadline.

Kulusevski repeat

If sporting director Fabio Paratici can secure a late move for Zaniolo, then it could have all the hallmarks of being Dejan Kulusevski 2.0 at Hotspur Way.

This time last year, the Italian supremo secured a deadline day swoop for the then-Juventus outcast – since, he has grown leaps and bounds into a firm fan-favourite around N17, hardly a surprise when you’ve provided 20 goal contributions in 36 appearances. One more than he managed in 74 games for the Old Lady.

Just like Kulusevski, Zaniolo has hit a bit of a career crossroads at the Stadio Olimpico, having been restricted to only 896 minutes of league action, whilst four of his five goal contributions have come in three Europa League appearances.

It’s a stark contrast to his form last season, where he played an integral role in the side clinching the Europa Conference League trophy – across all competitions, he scored eight goals and laid on a further nine assists from 42 outings, via Transfermarkt.

That level of form has seen the Italy international lauded by those around the game and the press. For instance, CBS Sports reporter Ben Jacobs has hailed him as a “frightening talent,” with CEO and Roma fan Nick Mercadante having lauded him as “an absolute monster” too.

Perhaps it is at Tottenham where he can refind that level of quality and consistency, should Paratici manage to secure him in a late deal this window.

He would certainly add another new dimension to Spurs’ attack, having already brought in Arnaut Danjuma, with Pedro Porro on the verge of becoming the next signing, according to reports.

AND in other news, Fabrizio Romano expects more signings at Tottenham…