Tottenham are thought to have resurrected interest in Stuttgart forward Nicolas Gonzalez, a year after former Spurs boss Jose Mourinho was keen on the Argentina international.
But the north London club are seemingly already at a disadvantage in the pursuit of Gonzalez as Fiorentina have reached an advanced stage of negotiations, while Brighton are prepared to offer him an alternative route to the Premier League.
Gonzalez has just completed his third season with Stuttgart since moving to Germany in 2018 from Argentinos Juniors, the same club that famously produced Diego Maradona 40 years earlier. He scored 14 goals in the second division in 2019/20 and was prolific when fit this season in an otherwise injury plagued campaign.
Grand Hotel Calciomercato claims that Spurs are interested once more, having initially opened talks at the behest of Mourinho a year ago. But even though Mourinho has since been dismissed and move on, incoming sporting director Fabio Paratici has already been at work restarting contact.
One of the reasons Stuttgart wanted to keep Gonzalez last summer was a belief that his value would grow further. They appear to have been proven right as it is said that Fiorentina are so far willing to pay €20m plus add-ons to buy him – Stuttgart are holding for €23.5m plus add-ons.
Fiorentina are keen to ‘hurry up’ trying to finalise a deal as there is a chance that Gonzalez’s value could jump again if he impresses for Argentina at this summer’s Copa America.
Fiorentina’s other concern is beating Brighton to the 23-year-old’s signature, giving Gonzalez a direct choice between Serie A and the Premier League if the clubs can agree with Stuttgart.
It appears that Spurs have some catching up to do if they are to have a chance themselves.
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Source : 90min