Tottenham hold a key advantage over north London rivals Arsenal in the transfer race for Roma star Nicolo Zaniolo.
Spurs enjoyed a successful summer transfer window after completing deals for Ivan Perisic, Fraser Forster, Yves Bissouma, Richarlison, Clement Lenglet, Djed Spence and Destiny Udogie. Antonio Conte was keen to add a new attacking midfielder to his squad with the Lilywhites being linked with moves for Christian Eriksen, who decided to join Manchester United, and Zaniolo.
The Gunners signed Fabio Vieira from Porto in a £34million deal but have since been linked with a move for the Italy international as he enters the final two years of his current deal with the Serie A outfit. As football.london reported in August, Spurs weren't close to securing a deal for the 23-year-old after reports suggested the north London outfit has a £46million bid rejected, but the Lilywhites are said to hold a key advantage over their fierce rivals should both clubs look to pursue a deal for Zaniolo.
READ MORE: Every word Antonio Conte said on new contract, Richarlison, Kulusevski, Ronaldo and Erik ten Hag
The Roma superstar has only registered one goal contribution in seven appearances so far this season after struggling with a shoulder injury back in August. Transfer guru Gianluca Di Marzio has revealed that Zaniolo only wanted a move to N17 in the summer and has ruled Arsenal out of the race due to one key reason.
Speaking to wettfreunde discussing the Italy international's future, Di Marzio said: "Nicolo Zaniolo had only one real request in the summer and that was Tottenham. Tottenham tried to get him but with a swap deal with other players or loan with option and AS Roma didn’t want to sell the player with these conditions.
"Now the priority (for Roma), similar to AC Milan with Rafael Leao and Inter Milan with Milan Skriniar, is the contract of Zaniolo. Whether Roma will renew the contract of Zaniolo or not because his contract will end in a year and a half.
"They have to renew his contract if they want to have contractual power in some request that the player may have. Arsenal or other clubs? No."
Di Marzio suggests that only Spurs can come back in with a bid for the 23-year-old because of Tottenham director Fabio Paratici. The transfer insider added: "Only Tottenham can come back because the sporting director of Tottenham.
"Fabio Paratici is one of the managers that has wanted Zaniolo for a long time. Even when he was at Juventus."
This will come as a blow for Arsenal who are thought to be keen on adding a new attacking talent to Mikel Arteta's squad, along with a new central midfielder. The Gunners missed out on the chance to sign Douglas Luiz from Aston Villa after having three bids rebuffed on deadline day, and now will need to look at alternative targets after the Brazilian midfielder signed a contract extension at Villa Park.
READ NEXT:
Arsenal's next four fixtures compared to Man City, Tottenham, Man Utd and Chelsea in title race
Aaron Ramsdale says Mikel Arteta prepared Arsenal to claim battling win over Leeds United
Key Arsenal player joins Gabriel Jesus as huge suspension worry ahead of Southampton clash
Why Gabriel got angry with Martin Odegaard as Mikel Arteta shows love for Arsenal win vs Leeds
Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and gossip from the Emirates Stadium
