Tottenham could face a major hurdle in their pursuit of Napoli’s Antonio Vergara, as fresh reports suggest the Serie A side have opened contract talks with the playmaker.
Under new manager Roberto De Zerbi, Spurs are pushing for a squad overhaul aimed at restoring the club’s status among England’s elite. Defensive reinforcements have already arrived in the form of Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi, and Jan Paul van Hecke.
But De Zerbi isn’t stopping there. He’s also keen to strengthen midfield and has set his sights on Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali. Tottenham have already had an opening £75 million bid turned down, with the Magpies holding out for over £100 million to part with the Italian—a move that would represent a major statement of intent.
At the same time, Spurs are actively searching for a creative midfielder. With Xavi Simons sidelined by an ACL injury and Dejan Kulusevski ruled out for the entire season after setbacks in his knee recovery, the need for a new No.10 has become increasingly urgent.
That’s where Vergara comes in. Tottenham have been tracking the 23-year-old Napoli academy graduate, who broke through this season with three goals and four assists in 19 appearances across all competitions.
His form has attracted interest from several European clubs—but Spurs may now be losing ground.
According to AreaNapoli.it, Napoli have initiated talks with Vergara’s agent, Giufreddi, over a new deal. The agent reportedly enjoys excellent relations with the club’s hierarchy, which could smooth the path to an agreement.
President Aurelio De Laurentiis is eager to secure the youngster’s future following his breakout campaign, especially with Massimiliano Allegri expected to take over from Antonio Conte and view Vergara as a key figure in his plans.
If Vergara signs an extension, Tottenham’s chances of landing him would diminish significantly. For now, the North London club will need to prepare backup options as they look to bring in a creative midfielder to complement James Maddison next season.
