Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham Hotspur

Premier League • England

Piotr Zielinski transfer chance opens up as Antonio Conte eyes trio and Tottenham look for discount on £95m clause

Piotr Zielinski, Napoli midfielder, during Serie A match v Torino at Stadio Olimpico

Tottenham are reportedly emerging as genuine contenders to sign Napoli midfielder Piotr Zielinski this summer – though his exit clause remains a sticking point.

Antonio Conte has done a remarkable job since taking over at Tottenham in November. With the club in dissaray following the disastrous spell in charge of Nuno Espirito Santo, the Italian has quickly got the side upwardly mobile. And confirmation of the excellent job he’s done arrived on Sunday when Tottenham booked their place back in the Champions League.

Now the Italian, alongside director Fabio Paratici, is ready to take Tottenham to the next level. To that end, he has already made clear his wish to strengthen his squad this summer.

To kick things off, Spurs will reportedly soon announce the double £68m signings of loan stars Cristian Romero and Dejan Kulusevski.

The pair have become fixtures in the side this season and found their best form under Conte’s leadership.

But the Spurs boss will not stop there and is also chasing four more signings this summer.

Indeed, as per the Daily Telegraph, Conte wants a new striker, another midfielder, and another central defender. Furthermore, reports on Sunday claim a £25m bid for Eintracht Frankfurt winger Filip Kostic is also in the offing.

In terms of a new midfielder, Spurs are reportedly chasing Aston Villa’s John McGinn.

However, with Villa unlikely to sell, reports in Italy now claim they are switching their focus to Zielinski.

Zielinski figures high on Conte wishlist

The Napoli midfielder has long-standing links with Premier League clubs.

Initially a target in the early days of Jurgen Klopp, he has more recently found himself the subject of interest from Arsenal.

Now though according to well-known Italian journalist Alfredo Pedulla, Spurs are ready to make their move for Zielinski.

The good news for Tottenham is that Napoli are seemingly in need of selling off a top name this summer.

Indeed, Victor Osimhen has been strongly linked with a Premier League move.

However, although central to Luciano Spalletti’s plans, the 28-year-old could be sold off if the price is right.

Zielinski has a huge £95m exit clause in his Napoli deal, with his deal due to expire in 2024.

That’s a price Spurs are, understandably, unwilling to pay. However, Pedulla claims Conte and Paratici remain determined in their efforts to bring him to Tottenham.

Price needs to be right

The report claims Tottenham are paying close attention to his and Napoli’s situation and could make contact over a move in the coming weeks if they receive encouragement.

For any deal to happen, however, Conte and Paratici would be needing to seek a huge discount on that release clause.

Zielinski has been at Napoli since 2016, playing 281 times for Gli Azzurri, scoring 40 goals.

The Pole is an excellent all-round midfielder and would make an excellent addition to the Spurs ranks.

Tottenham loan duo set to be signed permanently

Tottenham loan duo set to be signed permanently

Tottenham will sign both Dejan Kulusevski and Christian Romero permanently after their loan moves this summer

He would give their midfield a little extra know-how as well as a keen eye for a goal and an assist. A hard-working player who keeps the ball moving well, Zielinski’s game appears perfect for the Premier League.

And while his deal has that enormous release clause, you would not back against Paratici somehow negotiating that down.

Spurs, meanwhile, are also being strongly linked with a move for Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus in a move that has reportedly left Mikel Arteta seething.