Roma midfielder Niccolo Pisilli is the latest player to be linked with a summer transfer to Tottenham Hotspur as the club get their plans in place for the new season. It is a hugely important summer for the football club as they look to build on their Europa League final success.
Despite guiding Tottenham to their first trophy in 17 years, Ange Postecoglou is no longer in charge and has been replaced in the hotseat by Thomas Frank. Spurs will certainly have a new look about them next term following the managerial switch and the same may apply when it comes to the XI Frank fields on a matchday.
According to reports, the north London club have agreed a deal in principle to sign Roma ace Pisilli. The 20-year-old is currently representing Italy at the UEFA European Under-21 Championship and it will likely be after the tournament has concluded in Slovakia when a deal is completed if that is to be the case.
So who exactly is Pisilli? football.london takes a look below.
Born in Rome in September 2004, Pisilli is viewed as a classic No.8 and is very impressive both going forward and with his defensive work. Someone who is very highly regarded at Roma, he is excellent on the ball, reads the game well and can quite easily switch play with his long-range passing ability.
His impact in the final third can be seen by the fact that he has 39 goals and 19 assists in his 152 games in all competitions for Roma and their Primavera sides. Pisilli joined the Italian giants at the age of eight and progressed through their system before making his first-team debut in May 2023, with former Spurs boss Jose Mourinho handing the midfielder his bow for the final minute of their 2-0 home defeat against Inter Milan.
Following his Roma debut at the end of the 2022/23 campaign, Pisilli mainly featured for Roma's Primavera team the following year but he was a regular in the matchday squad in Serie A. His only league appearance that season came in an away defeat at Bologna as he was introduced off the bench for nine minutes by Mourinho.
His other appearance that season was in the Europa League against FC Sheriff, a game in which he scored his first goal for his boyhood club. Following a change of management at the start of 2024 with club legend Daniele De Rossi replacing Mourinho in the job, the 2006 World Cup winner immediately noted Pisilli.
“Who impressed me? In-person, Pisilli," revealed De Rossi. "I didn’t know him well; he’s such a strong player. He’s still a youngster, but he made an impression on me. I’m guilty of not knowing him well.”
The 2024/25 campaign turned out to be Pisilli's breakthrough season in the Roma first team as he went on to play 41 times in all competitions. The youngster made 28 appearances in Serie A, with 11 of those starts, and he also contributed with two goals and one assist.
Last season highlighted that he does have a knack of picking up a yellow card after receiving seven cautions in his 28 league games. His performances in the opening weeks of the term alerted Italy boss Luciano Spalletti and he duly handed the Roma man his first senior call-up for the national team for October's UEFA Nations League fixtures.
Prior to making his Italy debut in the closing stages of the 2-2 draw with Belgium, the player spoke to the media and thanked his previous Roma managers for their role in his journey to the senior Italy side.
“I want to thank De Rossi, Mourinho and [Ivan] Juric. It’s thanks to them that I’ve had the opportunity to be here," he said (via One Football). "As for the youth teams, it’s always an honour to wear the national team jersey. They are all experiences that have helped me. De Rossi and Mourinho gave me the chance to play, which was the most important opportunity."
Now with Italy U21s as they look to win the UEFA European Under-21 Championship in Slovakia, Pisilli's next appearance for his club side could potentially be in the Premier League if Tottenham are to complete a deal for the highly-rated ace. However, a Roma exit may not be so straightforward for the player due to his connection with the club.
“It was a very strong emotion, really beautiful: setting foot in the Olimpico was something wonderful," he said in an interview with DAZN. "Most of my friends are Roma fans, so even just the fact that they were watching the game and wrote to me 'I can’t believe you got in' was incredible.
“Playing for Roma is a dream come true, because when I was little I wore the Roma shirt and played in the park near my house. Now I wear the Roma shirt and play at the Olimpico, so it’s something I’ve always dreamed of since I was a child and it’s really beautiful.
“Being able to play and sweat for this shirt is truly indescribable for me. Being an example is something very beautiful and it’s a great responsibility.”
Following the additions of fellow youngsters Archie Gray, Lucas Bergvall and Wilson Odobert 12 months ago, Pisilli could be the latest addition as Tottenham look to give Frank a team for years to come.