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This article is part of Football FanCast's Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news...

Tottenham Hotspur have tabled a bid worth €23m (£20.6m) plus Toby Alderweireld for Roma midfielder Nicolo Zaniolo, per Corriere dello Sport.

What’s the word?

Spurs have been linked with Zaniolo throughout the summer transfer window and are now reported to have made a formal offer.

The midfielder is also wanted by Juventus and Liverpool, the report claims, and he is said to prefer a move to the Old Lady, as he does not feel ready for a move abroad.

Nevertheless, Spurs are said to have offered to increase his wages as they look to secure yet more summer signings, having already acquired both Tanguy Ndombele from Lyon and Jack Clarke from Leeds United.

Alderweireld has been linked with Roma and it appears that Spurs are now attempting to incorporate him into the deal.

A move is complicated by the fact that, per Corriere, Zaniolo’s potential transfer to Juve is said to depend on the future of Gonzalo Higuain, who could potentially move to Roma in exchange.

The 20-year-old, they state, could reconsider Spurs’ offer, if an agreement with Juve is not reached.

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The best way to lose Alderweireld

The central defender, of course, has a £25m release clause in his contract that could be triggered at any time this summer.

Utilising him in this way, by offering him to Roma in exchange for Zaniolo, makes a lot of sense, then.

It ensures that Spurs are in control of his movements and a club matching the clause, particularly in the closing stages of the transfer window, will not suddenly surprise them.

Zaniolo has made a total of 36 appearances for Roma, scoring six goals and registering two assists, from an attacking midfield position.

Aged 20, he has yet to reach his peak and could grow under Mauricio Pochettino’s management, while Alderweireld is 30 and is heading towards the twilight of his career.

This is a swap that makes all the sense in the world.