Tottenham Hotspur Head Coach Roberto De Zerbi appears dejected during the Premier League match between Sunderland and Tottenham Hotspur at the Stadium of Light
Roberto De Zerbi is believed to be interested in signing one of his former players
It remains to be seen if Tottenham Hotspur will be signing players to push towards the top half of the Premier League or towards a Championship promotion next season.
While all top-flight clubs will have begun their planning for the summer transfer window, Spurs find themselves in a particularly tricky situation.
The calibre of player they will want to sign is unlikely to be interested if Spurs are relegated to the Championship.
You may like
Spurs target set to sign new contract
Manuel Locatelli of Juventus looks dejected during the UEFA Champions League group H match between Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus at Parc des Princes on September 6, 2022 in Paris, France.
Manuel Locatelli of Juventus looks dejected during the UEFA Champions League group H match between Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus at Parc des Princes on September 6, 2022 in Paris, France.
Amongst the players reportedly on Spurs’ radar is Juventus midfielder Manuel Locatelli, who worked with Roberto De Zerbi at Sassuolo.
The 28-year-old earned a move to the Bianconeri in 2021 and has since become a key player, as well as an established Italy international.
But Spurs’ pursuit of Locatelli appears to have hit a stumbling block, with Sport Witness reporting that he is set to sign a new contract with Juventus.
The proposed new deal will tie the former AC Milan youth product down until 2030, and likely end Spurs’ hopes of signing him.
And one of his ex-coaches at AC Milan, Walter De Vecchi, has been quoted claiming Locatelli would have been a shrewd buy for the north London club.
“For me, yes, but who wouldn’t want him right now? He’s a player everyone wants, but Juve are right to lock him down,” De Vecchi told TuttoJuve.
“There are few players like him in Europe, and they’re all quite expensive.
Manuel Locatelli helped Italy win Euro 2020
Manuel Locatelli won Euro 2020 with Italy
“I never had any doubts about the player; he’s a special guy with an equally magical mind. He just needed to find a symbiosis of ideas, and he succeeded with Spalletti’s style of football, which truly makes him a protagonist.”
It seems unlikely that Locatelli will be a protagonist that Spurs fans can cheer for in the near future.
He would add quality and experience to a midfield that has looked fragile this season, but remaining at Juventus is almost certain to be a more appealing prospect at the moment.
Get VIP Tottenham Hotspur tickets HERE with Seat Unique!
Get VIP Tottenham Hotspur tickets HERE with Seat Unique!