Roma director lifts lid on ‘really difficult’ Zaniolo situation: “Let’s see what happens”

By Oliver Fisher -

Roma director Tiago Pinto has lifted the lid on the situation linked to Nicolo Zaniolo and a potential exit before the window closes in a couple of days.

As was reported by Sky (via Milan News) yesterday, Roma and Bournemouth agreed a fee for Zaniolo but the Italian forward is much more interested in a move to Milan, though he may be left disappointed.

Frederic Massara and Paolo Maldini recently made a request to the board for additional funds to bring Zaniolo in this month, but the request was denied and that means the 23-year-old could be destined to remain at Roma for the rest of the season if he holds out for Milan.

Tiago Pinto spoke to DAZN prior to Roma’s game against Napoli in the Derby del Sole and he was asked about the future of Zaniolo amid the abundance of speculation surrounding his future, with his comments relayed by MilanNews.

“I have no problem answering questions about Zaniolo, but by now everyone has understood what happened. Nicolò has asked the club to leave, we have tried to find a solution with his agent. This solution has arrived [Bournemouth], but at the moment Nicolò is perhaps not very happy with the solution,” he said.

“We are all in a bit of difficulty because we found this solution due to the player’s request. With all the rules we have from Financial Fair Play, we are not a club that can have Zaniolo’s ‘no’ and then sign other players. There are still 48 hours left, let’s see what happens, but I don’t want to dwell on the subject. It’s a really difficult situation for the club.”

Tags AC Milan Nicolo Zaniolo

6 Comments

  1. Florian Thauvin, same dude that 18 months ago, as a free agent, turned down Paolo to sign with Milan and signed to play in Mexico, is signing with Udinese as a free agent right now to replace Deulofeu . Even today, he would be an upgrade over what we have at RW.
    While our dear Paolo is asking Cardinale for 30 mil so he can sign Zaniolo .
    There are plenty of ways to upgrade the squad without begging the owner, if you know what you are doing.

    1. Maldini is not the “Boss”. Everything happening in Milan now is because the owner and their view of sport in general. They have system which apply to Milan and here are the result. They will win money for this season, but they will lose from next year and all after that. Maldini already told everything in Media, first when wanted big 3 singing after scudetto, than now he told Milan won’t be the same like in 1990s. Now we see how that affects fans who go to the stadium. I hope our next home game we will have at least 20% fewer fans.

    2. He didn’t turn down Milan. The fact that Milan asked more time.

      “My future had to be at Milan, but they didn’t know the budget for next season, they didn’t know if they would be in the Champions League and they had important players to renew. That’s why they asked me for time.”

      1. His contract with Marseille was expiring on June 30th 2021. Thauvin agreed to sign with Tigres on May 8th 2021.
        Milan clinched UCL berth on May 23th 2021.
        How much pull does Maldini have during negotiations with players out of contract that they can’t wait 2 weeks on Milan before they sign for a club in Mexico?
        The transfer to Milan was rumored for at least 6 months to a point that Marseille coach criticized Maldini for publicly commenting on the player while he was still under contract with Marseille.
        Wait 2 weeks to sign for Milan or sign for a club in the Mexican league?
        Even if the salary offer from Tigres was higher, where is Maldini’s ability to convince a player on signing for a club like Milan in the prime of his career even for a little bit less money than going to another club.
        A great sporting director should have the ability to persuade players to convince them that signing for Milan is the best move for their career. All great managers in every profession have that. They have the ability to sell you on a story. They are basically salesmen.
        Anyone can sign a player when you have the money, but the great ones can do it even when they have less.
        That’s what most people that get mad that I criticize Maldini don’t wanna understand. Being a great ex player isn’t enough to be a good SD. There are whole other set of skills you have to possess to be a great director.
        What player turned other clubs to come and sign with Milan?
        Maldini is Marcelo’ idol. He was a free agent over the summer, where was Maldini to sign him to back up Theo. He is 34 and makes 3 mil at Olympiacos? That’s very affordable when you consider that Florenzi makes 3 mil and Dest who barely played makes 4 mil.

  2. He is actually the boss when it comes to transfers. He just has to work within the budget set by the owners.
    Plus, the guy is a free agent, and if Udinese can sign him, that means he has a low salary.

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