Pizzi (Getty Images)
As per Mundo Deportivo (h/t Football.london), Tottenham are keen on signing Benfica star Pizzi ahead of the new campaign.
The report suggests that Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho has made contact over the possibility of signing the Portuguese international but no formal bid has been made. They could conclude the deal for €20m this summer.
Born in Portugal, Pizzi came through the ranks of Braga’s youth system but spent most of his career on loan spells with several clubs including Deportivo La Coruna and Atletico Madrid in Spain. However, he was signed by Benfica in the summer of 2013 and was immediately sent on a loan spell to Espanyol.
Since his return to his parent club in the summer of 2014, he has established himself as a key member of the squad. He helped the Portuguese giants lift several trophies in the last few years, including four league titles and three Portuguese Super Cup titles.
He came to prominence when he won the Portuguese League Player of the Year in 2017 and also played a role in the country’s UEFA Nations League title-winning campaign. He has been in sensational form in the last three seasons and also ended up as the top scorer of Liga NOS in the 2019/20 campaign.
Though Tottenham have a plethora of midfield talents in their ranks, it is clear that Mourinho needs to bring in reinforcements. And Pizzi would be a perfect signing for the squad in that sense.
The Portuguese international is a midfielder by trade but he is capable of operating in various positions. After racking up 15 goals and 23 assists in 55 games across all competitions in the 2018/19 campaign, he took his game to a higher level in the following campaign. He finished the last season with 30 goals and 19 assists and could be a useful player for Tottenham next season.
The Lilywhites have lacked a goalscoring midfielder throughout the campaign and Pizzi could provide them with some much-needed goals from the middle of the park. He is also capable of operating in an attacking midfield role and his creativity could be a boost to the squad.
Moreover, he could also add depth in the wide areas for Tottenham as he can operate on either flank. Given Lucas Moura and Erik Lamela have not been at their best recently, bringing in the former Braga man could help the manager add firepower to their frontline.
At 30, Pizzi looks to be in the form of his life and still has a few more years left to play at the top level. Thus, signing him would be a wise decision by the club.
