Tottenham and Aston Villa have joined a busy race to sign Léo Scienza, who is open to a move away from Southampton this summer.
De Zerbi targeting first Tottenham signing
It’s a massive summer for Roberto De Zerbi, who must first make sure that Tottenham keep hold of their Premier League status in the final seven games of the current campaign.
Beyond that, it will be all about welcoming some much-needed improvements for the Italian, as he desperately scrambles to drag the Lilywhites back into European contention next season.
De Zerbi asks Tottenham to sign “little superstar” who Arsenal wanted in 2023, he’s keen to join
The Italian has personally shortlisted him as a summer target.
He’s already made his intentions clear on that front, too – telling reporters: “In all my discussions with the club’s leadership, their ambition for the future has been clear – to build a team capable of reaching great achievements, and to do that playing a style of football that excites and inspires our supporters.
“I am here because I believe in that ambition and have signed a long-term contract to give everything to deliver it.”
Whether Tottenham chiefs put their money where their mouths are is now the big question. Recent reports suggest that they’re ready to back their manager, with the likes of Arthur Vermeeren and James Trafford already emerging as early transfer targets.
Of course, a big part of Totteham’s potential improvement will also be the addition of attacking stars, which makes the race to sign Scienza all the more important.
Tottenham & Aston Villa race to sign Scienza
As reported by ESPN’s Felipe Silva, Tottenham and Aston Villa are now racing to sign Scienza from Southampton just one week since he put Arsenal to the sword in the FA Cup, with club officials checking on the Brazilian regularly this season.
The attacking midfielder has grabbed the headlines with his performances in recent months and now has as many as five Premier League clubs chasing his signature.
Alongside Spurs and Villa, Leeds United, Fulham and Everton have all set their sights on the playmaker, who is hugely in-demand ahead of the summer transfer window and wants to make a step up.
A move makes perfect sense for both Tottenham and those at Villa Park. For the Lilywhites, Scienza would reignite their attacking spark, having been involved in 17 goals in all competitions so far this season. His take-on success and final-third precision are two traits that they’ve missed all season.
Scienza could become Aston Villa’s Rogers replacement
As for Aston Villa, they could be staring at their replacement for Morgan Rogers. The England international is attracting plenty of attention ahead of the summer and those in the Midlands could be forced to cash in to pursue incomings of their own.
If that is the case, then Scienza should be among their top options. The Southampton man is open to a move to the top flight after an excellent season and Unai Emery could offer him exactly that in the coming months.
As things stand, however, the ball is very much in the South American’s court amid interest from across the Premier League.