Report: Conte is still ‘insisting’ that Tottenham sign Zaniolo 

CalcioMercato report that Antonio Conte continues to ‘insist’ strongly that Tottenham Hotspur snap up Nicolo Zaniolo before the transfer window closes.

While Spurs had been heavily linked with a move for Zaniolo this summer, the North London club’s pursuit of the winger appeared to be over when The Evening Standard reported last week that Roma had cooled their interest in selling the 23-year-old.

The Italy international started for the Giallarossi in their Serie A season-opener at Salernitana on Sunday and played 79 minutes as Jose Mourinho’s men came away with a 1-0 win.

Zaniolo earned Mourinho’s praise for his display, with the former Spurs boss describing his performance as ‘extraordinary’ (Roma’s official YouTube channel).

CalcioMercato now claim that Tottenham have still not given up on their pursuit of the winger, with both Conte and Fabio Paratici said to be keen on bringing the player to North London.

However, the report adds that the Serie A club have not received a suitable offer from Spurs for Zaniolo.

It is also explained that the Roma star is now closer to signing a contract extension at the Stadio Olimpico than he has been for a while. 

Spurs Web Opinion 

Conte remarked in his press conference on Thursday that Spurs will need to sign another players if someone leaves. I took that as confirmation that we will be signing one more attacker as I expect Bryan Gil to be loaned out.

However, at this point, it appears unlikely that the North Londoners are going to be able to afford Zaniolo, with Roma’s asking price likely to have gone up on the back of the 23-year-old’s performance on Sunday. 

A lower-profile, low-cost signing like Ruslan Malinovskyi would be more realistic, given that the player who comes through the door is likely to be restricted to a bit-part role rather than being a regular starter.

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