Tottenham eyeing up ‘next Christian Eriksen’ as Fabio Paratici turns to Serie A again

Tottenham transfer chief Fabio Paratici is reportedly keen to bring Roma star Nicolo Zaniolo to north London in what could be another Serie A swoop overseen by the former Juventus sporting director. Zaniolo was on Spurs’ radar several years ago when he was tipped to replace Christian Eriksen after the Dane Joined Inter Milan. 

Paratici, alongside manager Antonio Conte, have seemingly earned the trust of the Spurs hierarchy with a solid run of results since January. They were landed with two Serie A stars on deadline day, Dejan Kulusevski and Rodrigo Bentancur, and both players have made a positive impact. 

Conte and Paratici may continue to use their Serie A expertise at the expense of Premier League rivals when the transfer window swings back open this summer. Calciomercato claim that Zaniolo is the latest Italian-based star that could be lured in three years after the club first registered an interest. 

Paratici reportedly kept tabs on Zaniolo while sporting director at Juve, and his admiration has refused to budge since taking up a job in the Premier League. The Lilywhites would face huge competition for his signature, however, with Sevilla, Atletico Madrid, Juventus and AC Milan all poised to try their luck on the youngster who could set them back up to £59million.

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Talk of friction between Zaniolo and Mourinho will be music to Tottenham ears. The Giallorossi may have to make a decision on the starlet’s future this summer before the risk of losing him for a meagre transfer sum, or even for free, grows too large. 

He has shone brightest in Europe this campaign, notching a hat-trick against Bodo/Glimt to take Roma through to the Conference League semi-finals last time out.