Rijo Sam Daniel
AS Roma gives transfer update on Nicolo Zaniolo amidst “strong” Manchester United interest
According to Italian news outlet Calciomercato (h/t The Mirror), AS Roma chief Tiago Pinto has provided an update on the future of Nicolo Zaniolo amidst “strong interest” from Manchester United for a future transfer. There is uncertainty surrounding his future at Roma despite him playing a crucial role under Jose Mourinho.
Zaniolo has two and a half years left in his current contract, but that has not stopped him from being linked with a move elsewhere. Several European clubs have expressed their interest in getting his services ahead of the summer transfer window, with Man United also in the mix.
All the interested parties have now been boosted by the latest update given by the Roma chief regarding the 22-year-old. Pinto has conveyed that it is still unknown what lies in store for the midfielder after this season. He said: “Neither I nor anyone else can guarantee” that the player will remain at the club.
Summer departure?
The Italian could prove to be a useful prospect for us if the Serie A club is open to selling him after this campaign. Since the club official did not rule out a transfer, it would not be too much of a reach to say that a move could be on the cards. We may need to use this opportunity to prise him away before others can even get a sniff.
The Roma star is an attacking midfielder by trade, although he has been used on the right-wing by Mourinho. He has fared well this season, having scored four goals alongside five assists in 26 matches across all competitions, and is one of the shining lights in a rather inconsistent Roma side.
The Serie A ace has been an exciting talent to watch since a young age but suffered two major injuries at an unfortunate time. That has halted his progression to an extent, but he has been at his full fitness for a while. There are concerns about his long-term availability, but there have been no signs that he has been affected by those setbacks.
The Italian playmaker’s versatility could prove to be a valuable asset for us looking at the potential departures next summer. As of now, Jesse Lingard, Paul Pogba and Edinson Cavani are set to become free agents at the end of this season, whereas Donny van de Beek and Anthony Martial’s futures are still uncertain.
As a result, we have to prepare for a worst-case scenario, and I Giallorossi star could be one of the components that we need to safeguard our interest. Time will tell whether we will put in a transfer bid for him or not when the summer transfer window arrives.
More Manchester United News
- Transfer News: Manchester United take a stance on Tahith Chong loan stint
- Manchester United offered the opportunity to land Juventus star Paulo Dybala
- Manchester United declined chance to sign RB Leipzig midfielder Amadou Haidara despite having agreement
If he does sign for us, he would become only the 6th Italian to play for us in the PL era, with Massimo Taibi, Giuseppe Rossi, Rodrigo Possebon, Federico Macheda, and Matteo Darmian already having donned our famous Red shirt in the past.
