Tottenham, who had a difficult start to the season under the leadership of Roberto De Zerbi, are already looking for the January transfer window.
Much of the speculation surrounding Spurs this week has focused on their pursuit of another striker.
Some reports suggest the club are intensifying their efforts on Espanyol striker Roberto Fernandez, who is said to be one of De Zerbi’s top targets.
Vangelis Pavlidis has also remained firmly in the conversation, with Tottenham reportedly widely tracking the Benfica striker, although his £85m release clause will make any mid-season deal difficult.
Spurs have also opened contract talks with Luca Williams-Barnett amid interest from Chelsea, Man United, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.
However, Tottenham’s scouts are not just targeting established strikers or keeping tabs on talent already in north London.
Tottenham scouts have urged the club to sign Roma prospect Emanuele Lulli
A new report from TEAMtalk’s Graeme Bailey claims that Spurs have been warned by Gian Piero Gasperini about Roma teenager Emanuele Lulli, who has made a strong impression after being introduced to senior football.
Tottenham’s scouts were apparently attending the Roma games to watch Brazilian defender Wesley, but Lulli also caught their eye and feedback sent to the club’s recruitment department urged the decision-makers to consider him a serious potential signing.
Arsenal and Liverpool scouts are said to have come to similar conclusions, while several other big English clubs are aware of the defender’s progress.
Emanuele Lulli’s all-time Rome senior record | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
The season | Competition | Appearances | begins | Objectives | helps |
2026/27 | Series A | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
Total | All competitions | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
Roma are aware of the attention surrounding the academy graduate and are understood to be working to secure his future with a new deal.
Who is Emanuele Lulli in the target of “Tottenham”?
Lulli is a tall and athletic defender who can offer energy on both ends of the court.
The 19-year-old came through Roma’s youth system and quickly won the trust of Gasperini, whose approach makes huge physical demands on his wide defenders.
Gianluca Falsini, who previously coached Lulli at Roma’s Primavera, highlighted the mentality behind the youngster’s rise.
“Lulli? First of all, I would talk about the guy: he is incredible, a Roma fan with Giallorossi blood in his veins,” Falsini told Retesport.
“He’s patient, he’s a good listener, we’d all like to have him as a son: he’s extraordinary. Emanuele has incredible pace, his best quality is his constant improvement.
“When I started, he had great physical ability, strength, power, and he had some problems, so much so that he was struggling to rebalance his body, but he did it by working hard every day.”
Falsini believes the teenager still needs to improve his finishing, short passing and defending in isolation situations. However, Lulli’s willingness to listen and develop has inspired him.
Falsini also gave a clear verdict on the environment that helped Lulli progress, saying that Gasperini’s style of play suited him perfectly.
Tottenham’s interest is still being monitored and competition will be fierce if Roma ever open the door to a sale.
However, their scouts’ recommendation shows that Lulli has done enough to stand out while completely underestimating anyone else.
Spurs may need more immediate help in January, particularly in attack, but Lulli represents a different part of their recruitment plan.