Report: Tottenham told to pay £33.5m for midfielder, Manchester United and Juventus are also interested

By Will Butcher

CalcioMercato claim Tottenham have been told it will cost £33.5million to sign Nicolo Zaniolo – with Juventus and Manchester United also keen.

Zaniolo, 22, has been excellent for Roma since joining the club – or he had been, until suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury last season.

The midfielder had a hand in 20 goals during his first 69 games for Roma in 2018-19 and 2019-20. But the injury stopped him from playing in 2020-21.

This season, he is fit again – but Jose Mourinho is using him sparingly. While he has been a regular, has has completed 90 minutes in just three of his 15.

He was left on the bench during Sunday’s 2-0 win over Genoa. Reports have emerged that the two had a disagreement in training last week.

The same report states that Zaniolo is open to a move and Roma would sell him for a fee of £33.5million – with Tottenham, United and Juve keen.

Zaniolo to Tottenham: Versatility could make him a brilliant signing

Before his injury, he was considered one of the brightest talents in Serie A football. It makes sense, given now he is still only 22 years of age.

But what makes Zaniolo a really solid option for Fabio Paratici and Antonio Conte is his midfield versatility. He can play out wide, or in the middle.

Naturally a right winger, his height allows him to play as a central midfielder – even a box-to-box one. Zaniolo is also an option as a 10.

On the face of it, £33.5million is expensive for a player who is coming back from an ACL injury. But he is 22, and incredibly versatile.

Paratici and Conte will know what he is capable of – as does Mourinho: “He seems super-professional. There are few out there with his potential.”