Tottenham closing in on Piero Ausilio appointment as Brighton transfer link emerges

Tottenham are closing in on the appointment of former Inter Milan sporting director Piero Ausilio, with Roberto De Zerbi keen to work alongside the experienced Italian in north London.

Ausilio spent more than two decades at Inter in various roles and was a major figure behind a sporting project that kept the Serie A club competitive at the highest level.

His time at Inter has now ended after the two parties failed to agree a new contract, with disagreements reportedly surrounding salary and the length of the proposed deal.

That has opened the door for Tottenham, where Ausilio already has an important connection with De Zerbi.

The Spurs manager is close to the 54-year-old and wants him to become part of Tottenham’s sporting structure.

Ausilio worked closely with Inter chief executive Beppe Marotta and Dario Baccin during his time in Milan, forming part of a recruitment operation that provided the club with considerable stability.

Inter have responded to Ausilio’s departure by promoting Baccin to sporting director, but that development could also have consequences for Premier League clubs.

One of them may be Brighton.

According to L’Interista, Baccin is already considering potential transfer targets as he looks to make an immediate impact in his new position.

Brighton midfielder Yasin Ayari is one of the players on his radar.

The 22-year-old is particularly attractive because his Brighton contract expires in 2027, potentially creating an opportunity for Inter to secure him at a favourable price.

The Italian club could also require midfield reinforcements amid uncertainty surrounding the futures of Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Hakan Calhanoglu.

Ausilio’s possible move to Tottenham creates another intriguing element around Ayari.

He worked extremely closely with Baccin and Marotta at Inter, meaning it would not be surprising if the incoming Tottenham director shares their admiration for the Sweden international.

Ausilio also has a reputation for identifying favourable opportunities in the transfer market, and Ayari’s contract situation could make him an interesting option.

There is currently no indication that Tottenham have made an approach for the Brighton midfielder. However, if Spurs need to replace a midfielder in the future, Ayari could emerge as a player worth monitoring once Ausilio is in place.

Tottenham’s immediate priority will be completing Ausilio’s appointment and establishing his role within the club’s recruitment structure.

Meanwhile, Ayari’s situation at Brighton is worth watching ahead of the January transfer window. Inter’s interest appears more concrete at this stage, while any potential Tottenham pursuit remains speculative and could depend on changes within De Zerbi’s midfield.