According to reports from TransferMarketWeb, Tottenham Hotspur are interested in signing Sassuolo winger Domenico Berardi in the summer transfer window.
The 22-year old is regarded as one of the most promising attackers in Italy and is expected to make it big and Tottenham have been watching him for some time now. However, it could prove to be a complicated deal to complete for the Lilywhites as it has been claimed by Sassuolo president Giorgio Squinzi that there is a deal in place with Italian Champions Juventus, for the transfer of Berardi in the summer. However, Tottenham believe that they can convince the player over a move to North London.
Tottenham have been chasing a wide player for quite a while but have struggled to find their ideal man. Last season saw manager Mauricio Pochettino bring in Clinton NJie from the Ligue1. The youngster struggled to make his mark and was shipped back to the Ligue1 on loan this season.
Tottenham invested quite heavily in the summer of 2016 as well, bringing in two Frenchmen; Georges-Kevin N’Koudou and Moussa Sissoko. Both the players have been major disappointments for the North Londoners. N’Koudou, who is still young, has some scope to develop in the youth ranks. However, Sissoko, who was expected to make an impact in the playing XI has struggled badly.
The former Newcastle United man arrived after a strong performance in the Euro 2016 but has found it hard to translate the same form in the league. If reports are to be believed, Tottenham are looking to cut their losses on the player and sell him at the end of the season.
So, it has become a primary objective that the club sign a new wide player in the summer transfer window and a host of names have been linked over the past few months. Berardi could be the ideal player to come in and add that much-needed spark down the flanks for Tottenham.
Firstly, he fits into the transfer policy that Spurs have adapted in recent years under Pochettino; bringing in young players with immense potential and promise, and overseeing their development. The fact that he has been in great form for Sassuolo this season bodes really well for Spurs.
Having made just 17 appearances this season across all competitions, Berardi has managed to score 7 goals and also has set up 5 for his teammates – clearly not bad numbers by any standards. With 5 of his goals having come in the Europa League Qualifying stages (from just 4 games), it would be safe to say that he has the pedigree to perform at the continental stages as well.
Someone who can play on either flank, Berardi is at his best when he is on the right-hand side of the attack. Playing on the wings, a player needs to be able to get past his man at pace and cross into the box or cut in from the wide and play narrowly. The 22-year old Italian is extremely strong in both aspects of wing-play.
In his short time at the top level, Berardi has shown he has the ability to score goals from distance and that he can thread through balls for his teammates with great precision. An adept set-piece taker as well, he can be called as an all-round winger who has the potential to develop into a top class player.
The involvement of Juventus in the picture complicates things for Tottenham, but if they believe that they have a chance to convince the player over a move to London, they should go all out for the player. Berardi looks to be the man who, after Dele Alli, could prove to be another feather in the cap for Spurs’ transfer policy.