Tottenham Hotspur are now lining up a move for the “amazing” midfielder, with manager Roberto De Zerbi driving the deal.
Tottenham are looking for a new midfielder with Palhinha’s future still in doubt
After Newcastle United’s 3-1 win against West Ham United on Sunday, De Zerbi is in a position to guide Tottenham to safety, with his side safe from a draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, given their superior goal difference.
At times, Spurs looked like they were in deep trouble, but the former Brighton boss has turned things around, picking up eight points in his last four Premier League games, with Joao Palhinha playing a key role, scoring once in a 1-0 win at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
De Zerbi is determined to keep Palhinha after the end of the campaign, and the north Londoners have the option to make the Bayern Munich loanee permanent for £27m, but there have been suggestions he does not want to move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
With that in mind, signing a new defensive midfielder could be very important in the upcoming window, especially considering Yves Bissouma is set to leave.
Tottenham plan to leave for Serie A’s “amazing” star
According to a report from Tuttosport (via Sport Witness), Tottenham will now sign Fiorentina midfielder Nicolo Fagioli within a few days, and De Zerbi is the one in the field to move his compatriot.
The Serie A side are expected to hold out for €40m (£35m) for the midfielder, who Spurs scouts watched in action during their 2-0 defeat to Juventus at the weekend.
Juve’s Pierre Kalulu is also interested, but a deal is unlikely, as the Italian club have no interest in sanctioning a move this summer.
Italian sporting director Ariedo Braida has praised Fagioli in the past, describing him as “a really interesting young man who shows amazing skills”, but he is unlikely to replace Palhinha.
Nicolo Fagioli’s Serie A stats
Like Palhinha, the Fiorentina star has featured heavily as a defensive midfielder this season, and has been one of La Viola’s key players, making 33 Serie A appearances.
No Fiorentina player has created more chances (62) than the 25-year-old, with a pass accuracy rate of 52.8 out of 90 which ranks him second in the team.
However, the maestro does not have the ability to win back, the success average is 1.6, which is much lower than Palhinha’s average in the Premier League.
Joao Palhinha’s Premier League stats
Indeed, the Portuguese player has proven himself to be one of the best strikers in the Premier League, completing 4.6 per 90, which puts him second in the top division, behind only Manchester United’s Manuel Ugarte.
As such, Tottenham should definitely keep hold of the former Fulham man beyond the summer, if they are determined to stay in north London.
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