Piero Ausilio's best Inter Milan transfers as Tottenham switch edges closer

Piero Ausilio is reportedly closing in on a move to join Tottenham Hotspur in time for the January transfer window.

The former Inter Milan sporting director left the Italian side earlier this month after a 28-year stay, which was filled with many success stories.

He is set to be the next Italian transfer expert to join the Lilywhites after Fabricio Paratici left last term for Fiorentina.

Ausilio sent "shockwaves" through Inter after he told club chiefs he would not be renewing his contract ahead of it expiring in June 2027.

His plan was to get back into football quickly, and a role in N17 awaits him.

With that said, Tottenham Hotspur News takes a look at some of Ausilio's finest transfer work during his time with Inter Milan.

Piero Ausilio's best Inter Milan deals: Free transfers to shrewd discoveries

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Ausilio is set to join Tottenham for the January window and will work alongside Roberto De Zerbi.

Spurs have offered him the role of sporting director from the winter window onwards, and the parties are said to be close to an agreement.

The 51-year-old joined Inter's backroom setup in 1998 as a youth sector secretary before being promoted to sporting director 12 years later.

He helped bring in the likes of Hakan Calhanoglu and Marcus Thuram for free, who have both helped the Italian giants to win several trophies, including Serie A.

He helped discover world-class striker and World Cup winner Lautaro Martinez, who joined as an unknown from River Plate for less than £20million.

The Argentina international is now the club captain, having scored 177 goals in 380 games.

Ausilio also helped lure Achraf Hakimi to San Siro from Real Madrid for £36m - a player who is now widely regarded as the best right-back in the world for PSG.

He also found Nicola Barella for Inter, a Ballon d'Or nominee who cost just over £30m in 2020.

Tottenham will now be hoping Ausilio can help discover some world-class talent in N17 soon.

Ausilio's best sales at Inter

Ausilio helped make Inter £22m with Hakimi, who was sold to PSG for £58m in 2021.

Not only that, he managed to get a whopping £96m for Romelu Lukaku, who joined Chelsea on a mega deal, only to rejoin on loan the following season.

Andre Onana joined Manchester United from Inter for £40m, and has since been on a downward trajectory.

Ausilio also managed to bag the Serie A club over £50m in a package deal for Mauro Icardi, who also left for PSG.

In total, Tottenham look like they're getting themselves a true transfer guru.