Tottenham Hotspur will look to improve the team’s capabilities during the summer transfer window, and they have already begun planning.
They have appointed Roberto De Zerbi as their new manager, and the Italian is looking to bring in a midfield controller at the end of the season. According to a report from Calciomercato.It, the manager has had ‘initial discussions’ with the owners of the London club regarding potential transfer targets for the future. He has named the Juventus midfielder as a target for the next season. He is ‘interested’ in signing the 28-year-old, and it remains to be seen whether Tottenham can get the deal done.
Manuel Locatelli would improve Spurs
The Italian international midfielder worked with De Zerbi at Sassuolo, and a reunion could be tempting for both parties.
Locatelli could be excited about the possibility of playing in the Premier League next season. He will add physicality, control and composure in the middle of the park for the North London club. He could form a solid partnership with the likes of Pape Matar Sarr, Conor Gallagher, Archie Gray and Rodrigo Bentancur. As per DataMb, Locatelli is the top midfielder in Europe’s top five leagues for progressive passes, forward passes, long passes and passes in the final third. There is no doubt that he would add a new dimension to the Tottenham midfield.
Can Spurs get the deal done?
It will be interesting to see if the Italian outfit is prepared to sanction his departure. He has been an important player for Juventus, and they might not want to lose him easily.
Also, Tottenham will have to secure Premier League safety to attract players of his quality. Even though the Italian has a prior relationship with De Zerbi, he is unlikely to join a club in the championship next season. It remains to be seen whether the Italian manager can guide Tottenham to safety in the remaining matches of the season.