Spurs have been linked with a move for Roma midfielder Lorenzo Pellegrini recently and the Italian could be a serious upgrade on Harry Winks in Nuno Espirito Santo's side ahead of next season.

What's the word?

According to The Athletic, Pellegrini is a potential target for the north London club this summer but any deal would involve them meeting the £25.6m release clause in his contract with the Serie A side.

Considering the 25-year-old is currently valued at £36m by Transfermarkt, this could represent excellent business by Spurs this summer, and when you consider his impressive form for Roma in recent seasons, there seems little to suggest that he wouldn't be a regular in Nuno's side next season.

The Italy international has made 152 appearances in total for Roma's first team, contributing 21 goals and 34 assists in that time.

He enjoyed his best season to date in terms of goals and assists in the 2020/21 campaign, as he managed seven goals and assists in the Italian top-flight, as well as three goals and three assists in the Europa League.

Would Pellegrini be an upgrade on Winks?

Last season saw Pellegrini average a superb 7.23 rating from WhoScored for his performances in Serie A, whereas Winks would manage a shocking 6.37 rating across his 15 Premier League appearances, with no goals or assists to his name.

Pellegrini is able to play deeper in midfield and dictate the play, whilst he can also feature in an attacking midfield role, where he can be trusted to contribute offensively. Last term, the Italian managed to provide 11 strikes and nine assists which is an area Winks has always struggled with at Spurs. During his entire Tottenham career, he's registered only four goals and four assists in 173 appearances.

Former Roma boss Paulo Fonseca was full of praise for Pellegrini last season, saying:

“Like Bryan, he is another really clever player. Pellegrini covered Jordan Veretout’s role today. Jordan was playing really well there and whoever plays in that position needs to be able to find the spaces. Looking at the second line, Lorenzo did well – he ran and he worked hard to help the team."

Therefore, it seems clear that the Italian would be an upgrade on Winks should he join Spurs this summer, so Fabio Paratici should definitely consider bringing him to north London.

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