Tottenham Hotspur will have to appoint a new manager next season after parting ways with Antonio Conte in March.
Napoli manager Luciano Spalletti has been included in the north London club’s target list. On Monday, journalist Ciro Venerato stated Spurs are ‘concretely interested’ in him.
Another Italian journalist Paolo Bargiggia appeared as a guest on 7 Gold’s Il Processo, where he provided an additional update on Tottenham’s desire to appoint Spalletti as their new coach. His comments are relayed by Area Napoli.
The Serie A side won the title this season under the Italian’s orders. His contract had lasted until 2023 and Napoli had an option to extend it until 2024, which Aurelio De Laurentiis has already exercised.
Bargiggia explains that Tottenham’s approach for Spalletti could become a problem for the Naples club to retain him beyond this season.
“How many percentages are there that Luciano Spalletti stays at Napoli? They told me 50% and I was quite surprised. I was convinced that it was at least 70%, but whoever told me this is certainly a reliable person. There is no conversation between Spalletti and De Laurentiis to plan,” he said.
“Why did the manager release certain statements [Napoli exercising one year extension], proving to be rather cold on the hypothesis of a renewal? The problem is that the Tuscan had an important proposal from Tottenham. Spalletti earns €2.7m a season, elsewhere they can guarantee him a very high salary.
“Then came two other potential proposals, not yet so concrete. One is PSG, even if Mourinho is more likely to go there. The second is sensational: a return to Rome. I repeat, however, there is nothing official.”
Bargiggia’s comments suggest Tottenham would be ahead of both PSG and Roma as options for Spalletti, if he decides to leave Napoli.
