Tottenham summer signing already ‘determined’ to quit as ex-Prem boss eyes transfer hijack
Pierluigi Gollini is already angling for a Tottenham Hotspur exit just half a season into his loan spell from Atalanta, according to reports.
What’s more, the goalkeeper has a suitor lined up willing to take him back to Italy. That’s after he failed to usurp Hugo Lloris in the pecking order since his summer move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Lloris has given Tottenham nearly a decade of service in goal and is currently their captain. In his mid-30s, though, the club have been looking at a long-term succession plan.
With that in mind, managing director Fabio Paratici spotted the opportunity to sign Gollini in July. After Atalanta took Juan Musso from Udinese, the Italian was no longer first choice there.
As such, he wanted to find a new home – and Tottenham came calling. They took him on loan for the season with an option to buy.
In the process, it marked his return to English football after a previous stint with Aston Villa when they were in the Championship. But much like that spell was short, his time at Tottenham could end abruptly.
Indeed, Gollini has not managed to escape the struggles for gametime he forecasted having in Bergamo. For Tottenham, he has yet to feature in the Premier League.
Firmly behind Lloris still in the hierarchy, his eight appearances have all been spread across cup competitions.
And with Tottenham continually linked with other keepers for next summer – such as Sam Johnstone – it seems improbable that they will use their option to buy Gollini.
Lazio linked with Gollini
According to Citta Celeste, the 26-year-old has now become an option for Lazio, who are in need of a new goalkeeper.
The responsibilities in Rome have been shared between Pepe Reina and Thomas Strakosha this season. However, neither have fully convinced. Former Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri wants to take a new number one.
In that regard, he had been looking at a reunion with Kepa Arrizabalaga. But it would be difficult to prise him away from Chelsea, so the Serie A side are looking at alternatives.
Sarri has now supposedly identified Gollini as someone he wants to turn their attention to. The report claims he is “not satisfied” at Tottenham and “determined” to leave.
It seems likely he would have to wait until the summer to do so. But now any doubts over his long-term Tottenham future will have heightened.
Citta Celeste predict that Gollini could move to Lazio in a swap deal for wing-back Manuel Lazzari. He is of interest to Atalanta and has a similar valuation to Gollini.
Therefore, the former Villa shot-stopper seems unlikely to stay in England beyond this season. It will force Tottenham to re-assess their plans for a future beyond Lloris.
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