‘Their concrete interest in him shows how good the boy’s season was’: Tottenham tried to sign Nicolo Zaniolo to be their new Paul Gascoigne before landing Giovani Lo Celso instead
- Tottenham were in hot pursuit of Roma midfielder Nicolo Zaniolo this summer
- However, Mauricio Pochettino’s side ended up signing Giovani Lo Celso instead
- Zaniolo’s agent has revealed there was ‘concrete interest’ from Tottenham
Tottenham showed serious interest in Roma midfielder Nicolo Zaniolo this summer, according to the player’s agent.
Following their heartbreak in the Champions League final, Mauricio Pochettino and Spurs looked to kick on with some exciting additions to their squad in the summer.
They ended up signing Giovani Lo Celso in midfield from Real Betis on a season-long loan but Zaniolo’s agent, Claudio Vigorelli, claims Tottenham looked to land him originally.
Roma star Nicolo Zaniolo attracted heavy interest from Tottenham in the transfer window
Vigorelli exclusively told Sportsmail: ‘He renewed with Roma and is fine at Roma but obviously we enjoyed the great interest of Tottenham, who were the runners up in the Champions League.
‘Their concrete interest in him shows how good the boy’s season was.
‘Spurs thought a lot about Nicolo before taking Lo Celso, they focused their attention on him seriously, more than any other club even beyond the Premier League.
‘I can say that only Mauricio Pochettino’s club has carried out such in-depth market analysis in England.
Mauricio Pochettino ended up signing Giovani Lo Celso on a season-long loan from Real Betis
‘The boy has a mild character despite what is written and sometimes is said in Italy.’
The 20-year-old has been tipped for a huge future for both club and country and Zaniolo’s agent believes he can make it to the very top, especially working under Roma boss Paulo Fonseca.
‘He is a serious professional on whom Italy will rely on in the future. He was born to be a footballer and wants to do football at great levels.
‘Fonseca has designed an important role for him and Fonseca has trained young talents very well in the past’.
Agent Claudio Vigorelli claims Zaniolo ‘resembles’ Tottenham legend Paul Gascoigne
Vigorelli has even gone to the lengths of comparing Zaniolo to Tottenham and England legend Paul Gascoigne.
‘Zaniolo resembles Gascoigne very much for his physical qualities but he has a much milder character.
‘Now Fonseca is playing him in central midfield, a position he likes, where he can render and become just like Gascoigne: devastating with his technique and quality.
‘He is a creative player who has pace and muscle, which is a rare commodity in Italy.’