Tottenham are entering the Roberto De Zerbi era.
With Roberto De Zerbi taking over the reins at Hotspur Way, there is finally a sense of clarity that can help the Lilywhites propel their transfer business, as the club will now eye transfers that are quite on track with the way the former Brighton man wants to take Spurs forward.
But while all the news and rumours are understandable, it will all be tested when things come down on a full-scale transfer battle in the market.
And this is exactly what is happening with Marco Palestra because while Tottenham has been monitoring his rise quite closely, the current reality is that the Lilywhites are no longer setting the pace for his signature.
It has suddenly started to look like a transfer that will have quite a few suitors and will be on the expensive end, which may end up proving decisive.
Newcastle United are setting the tempo at the moment
According to recent reports as relayed by Sport Witness, Tottenham’s league rivals Newcastle United are moving with intent to bid for signatures.
In the aforementioned report, Newcastle has been described as the ‘hottest’ suitor for Marco Palestra’s signature, as the Toons have positioned themselves at the front of a queue in what is increasingly becoming a big-name suitor crowd with the likes of Arsenal and Barcelona also interested in his signing alongside Tottenham. All of the mentioned clubs are said to have tracked his development over recent months.
Why Tottenham want Marco Palestra
Palestra is currently on loan at Cagliari from Atalanta, with the 21-year-old developing into one of the more intriguing full-back profiles in Serie A. Given that he can play on both flanks and is quite assured when drifting into the central zones, he can give so much technical mobility on the pitch. Known for his ability with both feet, he can also contribute in building up as well as in advanced phases, and this kind of variability becomes quite relevant under someone like De Zerbi.
Spurs’ new head coach doesn’t like his fullbacks simply as wide defenders. He positions them in a way that they are part of a structure. Sometimes you see them stepping into midfield, while others are creating overloads or dictating tempo. And this is where bringing in someone like Palestra will help Tottenham and RDZ.
But at the moment Newcastle leads the race for his signature while Tottenham continues to admire. We will see if under-fire Chief Johan Lange converts that admiration of Tottenham into a transfer.