The speculation linking Inter Milan sporting director Piero Ausilio with a move to Tottenham Hotspur continues to gather steam.
Reports first emerged earlier this week that Ausilio is set to leave Inter Milan after 28 years at the club, with Tottenham showing interest in bringing him to North London.
It has subsequently emerged that Roberto De Zerbi has already given the green light for Spurs to appoint the experienced Italian.
Some recent updates from Italy have even asserted that De Zerbi considers Ausilio a close personal friend, thus potentially paving the way for the pair to unite at the Premier League club.
Piero Ausilio wanted to take Tottenham boss Roberto De Zerbi to Inter Milan in the past
Tuttomercatoweb have become the latest outlet to state that Ausilio is ‘ready’ to part ways with the Nerazzurri. The report says that many clubs in Italy and abroad have shown interest in him, but Spurs are at the front of the queue.
In fact, the 54-year-old is described as ‘Tottenham’s top target’ in the report as the Lilywhites look to bring a new sporting director through the door.
Interestingly, it is revealed that Ausilio has ‘never hidden his admiration’ for De Zerbi in the past and attempted to take him to the San Siro.
It is suggested that the time could be right for the pair to finally work together at the richest and most competitive league in the world.
Why Ausilio’s connection with De Zerbi could make him the best candidate for Spurs
It is evident that the Tottenham hierarchy has bet the house on De Zerbi and has fully backed him to be the man to oversee a long-term project.
In fact, some reports have even claimed that the 46-year-old has been given Sir Alex Ferguson-type comprehensive power at Spurs, more than head coaches usually have, and the club’s summer business may be evidence of that.
Any incoming sporting director thus needs to have a good relationship with De Zerbi and a similar vision to the Spurs boss, which is why Ausilio may be viewed as the best candidate.