Thomas Tuchel looks set to stifle Antonio Conte's perfect summer transfer window as Chelsea plot a move for Tottenham Hotspur target Nicolo Zaniolo. The 23-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to the Lilywhites amid an increasingly uncertain future at Roma, but the Blues look ready to swoop in and hijack a deal.
Zaniolo, who sees his contract at the Stadio Olimpico expire in 2024, featured 28 times for Jose Mourinho's side in the Serie A last season, directly contributing towards seven goals. Despite two serious cruciate injuries, the midfielder's impressive displays guided the Italian giants to a top-six finish and Europa Conference League glory, courting the interest of several top-flight sides.
According to Calcio Mercato Web, Spurs have had a £46.4million bid rejected by Roma for Zaniolo. With the north Londoners licking their wounds, the report adds that Chelsea are armed and ready to spoil their rival's lasting deal before the summer market slams shut at the start of next month.
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It's said that the Blues are prepared to offer the Giallorossi a straight-swap deal which sees Christian Pulisic go the other way. The United States international could prove to be Chelsea's secret weapon which spoils Tottenham's perfect end to the window.
Pulisic, who is valued at £50.7million by CIES Football Observatory, started just 13 of the west Londoners' 38 Premier League fixtures last season, finding the net just six times. The winger has often only performed in moments, struggling to sustain a high-level of performance across the duration of a fifty to sixty-game campaign with injuries also hampering his progress.
Todd Boehly is set to let Pulisic leave this summer if he receives acceptable offers, with Juventus said to be interested in his services too. However, the winger seems intent on staying at Chelsea - even following the arrival of Raheem Sterling who will likely rival him for first-team opportunities
Pulisic, who sees his contract with the Blues expire in 2024, told ESPN when asked about Sterling's arrival: "Great quality. We’re really excited about it. The beautiful thing about being at a club like this is the competition every single day. We all thrive competing with each other in training and getting to play with each other is just another great addition to the team."
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