Jose Mourinho has confirmed Nicolo Zaniolo has asked to leave Roma amid links with a move to Tottenham.
Spurs have reportedly lined up an offer to sign the Italy international on loan for the rest of the season as Antonio Conte bids to strengthen during what remains of this month’s window.
Zaniolo was also linked with a move to north London over the course of the summer and could now finally be on the move having asked to leave the Italian capital.
Conte’s options up front have been undermined by a series of injuries this season, with both Dejan Kulusevski and Richarlison missing chunks of the campaign.
The club were keen to sign Leandro Trossard before his move to Arsenal, though the Belgian’s agent revealed Spurs missed out due to their lack of commitment to the deal.
An attacking midfielder, 23-year-old Zaniolo has scored 24 times while registering 18 assists in 128 appearances for the Serie A giants.
Mourinho, however, insists a deal will be difficult to do.
“Nicoló Zaniolo has asked to leave the club — but it’s not sure that it’s gonna happen,” Mourinho told reporters.
“Current proposals are not enough.”
“We only need a good proposal to let Zaniolo leave, and we’ve not received it. My feeling is that at the end, he will stay.”
