Giuseppe Rossi latest ace to be linked with Spurs front line
Published:
As January draws ever closer the transfer rumour mill goes into overdrive and the main focus at present is on Tottenham’s attacking options.
Jermain Defoe looks set to depart White Hart Lane for an MLS challenge at Toronto FC, Emanuel Adebayor is, well, Emanuel Adebayor and preferred strikers Erik Lamela and Roberto Soldado are not proving the deadly duo many predicted.
Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas has been linked with a number of proven forwards in recent weeks and the latest object of his affection is former Manchester United man Giuseppe Rossi.
The American-born Italian never lived up to expectations in the Premier League after being plucked from Parma’s youth ranks, but despite serious injury has gone on to become one of Europe’s top finishers.
After netting just five times in 27 outings for United – and loan club Newcastle – Rossi then scored 82 times in 192 games for Villarreal, figures that but for two cruciate ligament injuries would surely have been higher.
Having put his injury worries behind him, the 26-year-old is now plying his trade in Italy’s Serie A, where he has notched 13 strikes in just 17 matches for Fiorentina – including a 14-minute hat-trick to secure a memorable comeback win over Juventus.
Given the torrid time Rossi’s suffered through injury, he is perhaps unlikely to be keen on another move after settling in his motherland and again finding form.
However, the Italian influence at Spurs – in the shape of Technical Director Franco Baldini – not to mention a mooted fee of £30m could see the diminutive forward return with a point to prove in England’s top flight.
Spurs, who were being tipped in some quarters to challenge for Premier League honours, are now a 10/1 shot to secure a top four finish, while their title odds have drifted to 66/1.
Rossi is unlikely to bring enough to the table to end Spurs’ 53-year wait for a league title, but if he can hit the ground running the Lilywhites’ Champions League hopes will be given a significant boost.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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