Nicolò Zaniolo has once again stressed a desire to move back to Serie A in the near future, and AC Milan have been mentioned among the potential suitors.
Zaniolo’s experience at Aston Villa isn’t going very well as he is not getting much playing time under Unai Emery and they are unlikely to use the option to buy that they have to make the deal permanent.
As Calciomercato.com report, during an interview with Corriere dello Sport that was published this morning the forward made it clear that he would like to return to Serie A after leaving Roma in February 2023. First he went to Galatasaray, now Aston Villa, and he wants to come back to Italy.
“I miss Italy a lot: the family, friends, my son… But now it’s up to the clubs to define my future, the card is owned by Galatasaray,” he said.
“In the meantime I want to express my gratitude for Monchi who bet on me again after bringing me to Roma at 19 years old. Milan? Who knows… I asked my agent to inform me only if there is something really concrete.
“Certainly, for what Roma represented for me and out of respect for the Lazio fans, a transfer to the Biancoceleste [Lazio] would be unthinkable.”
Milan contact
Calciomercato.com add that to date there are still no clubs that have come forward for Zaniolo and it is still too early to understand how things will develop, but his entourage did in fact have some contact with Milan.
The Rossoneri could come forward again next summer to understand the feasibility and costs of the operation. However, Zaniolo has always been a fan of Juventus and the player has said publicly several times that his dream is to wear the black and white shirt that he wore as a child.
Another club that had thought about Zaniolo and could make an attempt in the summer is Fiorentina, but it remains to be seen whether the costs of the operation are within the club’s economic plan.
Head coach factor
It’s clear that a lot will also depend on who will coach these teams. Juventus could change, Vincenzo Italiano will probably leave Fiorentina and even Stefano Pioli’s position as the manager of Milan is not certain either.
Simone Inzaghi is sure to stay at Inter, but in his 3-5-2 Zaniolo would not find an ideal tactical position. A return to Roma should also be ruled out, who in the event of a sale in the summer will earn something thanks to a clause in the contract.
Whoever wants Zaniolo will have to sit down to negotiate with Galatasaray, who signed him in February 2023 from Roma for €15m. Last summer several teams came forward, but Nicolò’s choice was to go to Aston Villa who paid a €5m loan fee with a €27m obligation to buy tied to him playing 80% of the season’s minutes.
So far, Zaniolo isn’t even close to that percentage. To date it is therefore almost impossible for him to remain with the Villans, so he is hoping for a return to Serie A.
He can join Juve… but Not us
Well said!
AGREED
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HAha Big Joke !!!
So… A backup for the Pulisic-backup? Only on a free transfer and 1M€/y salary.
Yeah he can go back to serie A but not ACM . Even if free transfer not worth
Only if we sawp him for Chuk maybe. But im not sure even if that is a good deal. Its a risk.
again i said, put Malda/ Colombo in Turkey they will do what Arda/ Zaniolo done there