Tottenham are lining up a bold move for Italy playmaker Andrea Pirlo, according to former Chelsea manager Gianluca Vialli.
Stuntstarblog revealed last month how Spurs had been alerted to growing uncertainty over Pirlo’s Juventus future and a growing belief he may be ready to quit the Turin giants and test himself in England or Spain.
The north London club appear to have followed up their initial interest and begun exploring the possibility of landing him on a free transfer at the end of the season, following a claim by Vialli on
Sky Italia on Sunday.
A studio guest for Juve’s 3-2 win over AC Milan, Vialli was quizzed about the 34-year old’s contract stand-off with the Serie A champions, and said: ‘I heard the rumours from London that there are contacts between Pirlo and Tottenham for next season.’
Though Vialli did not expand on his brief statement, he is well placed to keep his ear to the ground after it emerged he spends up to five days a week in London most of the year.
Despite masterminding the dramatic win over Milan, and scoring the opening goal, Pirlo is still far from sure of extending his stay at Juventus and is effectively on trial for the next two or three months, as coach Antonio Conte assesses whether he merits another contract.
A decision will be made by the turn of the year, and if it goes against him, it is widely expected he will seek a fresh start abroad when his current agreement runs out at the end of the season, with England and Spain joint top of his wishlist.
Tottenham appear to be the first English club to react to a situation that is further complicated by doubts over Conte’s position.
Ever since Juventus lost out to Manchester United in the chase for Robin van Persie last year, Conte has had misgivings over the club’s ambition in the transfer market and questioned whether he will ever receive the financial backing to make them European champions again.
If matters come to a head, and he leaves at the end of the season, Juve are expected to turn to current Italy coach Cesare Prandelli, which could dash Tottenham’s hopes of luring Pirlo to London.
Prandelli is a confirmed admirer of Pirlo’s midfield guile and would make drafting a new contract for him one of the priorities on his to-do list.
Spurring them on: Signing Pirlo would surely be a massive boost for Tottenham
Carlo Ancelotti also has a close working relationship with Pirlo, but Sportsmail understands starting opportunities will be the key factor in the Italy veteran’s deliberations, which could count against Real Madrid, given their wealth of options in midfield.
Though Pirlo has been a pivotal figure in Juve’s dominance of Serie A over the past two seasons, Conte has begun to harbour doubts over whether he can continue to exert the same influence on their bid for a hat-trick of titles.
He was substituted in two of Juve’s opening Serie A games, in stark contrast to last season, when he was replaced only once in the entire campaign.
Intriguingly, Conte could also be heading for the Barclays Premier League, should he end his stay in Turin next summer. Sportsmail can reveal he has been learning English since last year and is keeping a close eye on possible managerial vacancies in the Premier League next season.
Though Vialli did not expand on his brief statement, he is well placed to keep his ear to the ground after it emerged he spends up to five days a week in London most of the year.
Despite masterminding the dramatic win over Milan, and scoring the opening goal, Pirlo is still far from sure of extending his stay at Juventus and is effectively on trial for the next two or three months, as coach Antonio Conte assesses whether he merits another contract.
A decision will be made by the turn of the year, and if it goes against him, it is widely expected he will seek a fresh start abroad when his current agreement runs out at the end of the season, with England and Spain joint top of his wishlist.
Tottenham appear to be the first English club to react to a situation that is further complicated by doubts over Conte’s position.
Ever since Juventus lost out to Manchester United in the chase for Robin van Persie last year, Conte has had misgivings over the club’s ambition in the transfer market and questioned whether he will ever receive the financial backing to make them European champions again.
If matters come to a head, and he leaves at the end of the season, Juve are expected to turn to current Italy coach Cesare Prandelli, which could dash Tottenham’s hopes of luring Pirlo to London.
Prandelli is a confirmed admirer of Pirlo’s midfield guile and would make drafting a new contract for him one of the priorities on his to-do list.
Spurring them on: Signing Pirlo would surely be a massive boost for Tottenham
Carlo Ancelotti also has a close working relationship with Pirlo, but Sportsmail understands starting opportunities will be the key factor in the Italy veteran’s deliberations, which could count against Real Madrid, given their wealth of options in midfield.
Though Pirlo has been a pivotal figure in Juve’s dominance of Serie A over the past two seasons, Conte has begun to harbour doubts over whether he can continue to exert the same influence on their bid for a hat-trick of titles.
He was substituted in two of Juve’s opening Serie A games, in stark contrast to last season, when he was replaced only once in the entire campaign.
Intriguingly, Conte could also be heading for the Barclays Premier League, should he end his stay in Turin next summer. Sportsmail can reveal he has been learning English since last year and is keeping a close eye on possible managerial vacancies in the Premier League next season.
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