Good evening, Tottenham fans. Here are your evening headlines for Monday, August 31.
Tottenham rejected in approach for Roma youngster
Tottenham have had an approach for Roma’s Nicolo Zaniolo rejected, according to 90min.
The 21-year-old is one of the most highly-rated young players in Europe and there had been suggestions he would be sold this summer to finance a rebuild.
But Roma have since been taken over by American billionaire Dan Friedkin, who is determined to keep hold of the club’s best players.
Juventus and Inter Milan had been linked with a move for Zaniolo, while Tottenham hoped to meet with Roma representatives ahead of potential negotiations.
But they have now been informed that the Italy international, who has impressed as both a winger and central midfielder, is not for sale.
Parrott injury expected to impact start of the season
Troy Parrott could miss the beginning of the new Championship season after picking up an injury during a pre-season friendly on Saturday.
The 18-year-old, who is on loan at Millwall, was set to join up with the Republic of Ireland national team ahead of the international break but has now been withdrawn from the squad.
The injury is not expected to keep him out of action for any longer than a few weeks, however.
“He came off after 30 minutes of the second half and just felt his quad,” Millwall boss Gary Rowett told the South London Press.
“And then when we examined him afterwards without a scan it looked as if he had just a mild strain of it.
"We don’t think it is too much more serious than that. Any strain is usually two to three weeks out to make sure you don’t re-injure or come back too soon.
"He’d been doing really well but the rigours of pre-season is asking an awful lot of an 18-year-old, hopefully it is not too serious. I think he is flying back and getting treatment tomorrow and we’ll have a look then.”
Rowett added: “We don’t think it is serious but it can still be two-three weeks out of action. It’s not ideal but nothing much to worry about.”
Spurs drawn against Bulgarian side in Europa League qualifying
Tottenham will play Lokomotiv Plovdiv in the Europa League second qualifying round.
The draw, which took place earlier today, handed Spurs an away tie, so Jose Mourinho and his players will travel to Bulgaria on September 17.
They will be strong favourites to progress, though Lokomotiv manager Bruno Akrapovic earlier said that he hopes “to draw Tottenham and beat them in Plovdiv”.
His side overcame Montenegrin outfit Iskra in the first qualifying round and will hope to take advantage of the one-leg format, in place due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
