The rumours linking AC Milan with a move for Nicolo Zaniolo gained a lot of momentum earlier in the week, and then yesterday news arrived that things have stalled.
According to what was reported this morning by Tuttosport (via MilanNews), Milan had a concrete interest in signing Zaniolo and wanted to try make it happen in January, but yesterday Paolo Maldini phoned his Roma counterparts to inform them that the Rossoneri have ‘withdrawn from the race’.
It comes after owner Gerry Cardinale spoke with Maldini on the phone and raised some doubts about the feasibility of the Zaniolo operation. First of all, the American did not trust the idea of an investment on a player who has proved so fragile on a physical level in recent seasons, so much so that his growth has been greatly slowed down. Two cruciate ligament injuries before the age of 24 are no small matter.
Secondly, there is the unknown factor of the mental strength of a player who has shown that he has a feisty character at times. Finally – and this for the ownership is the most important red flag – there is the economic aspect. For Roma the only loan solution has always been an obligation to buy, but Milan wanted an option.
Furthermore, after the €30m offer from Bournemouth, the Giallorossi told Milan that they must match that amount, since the player did not intend to move to a low-end Premier League club.
Cardinale did not give the green light to increase the January budget which was spent almost entirely on the summer window. Instead, the owner advised Maldini and Massara to try to reopen the discussions for Hakim Ziyech of Chelsea, who was already targeted in the summer and is considered more sustainable.
