AC Milan have reportedly approached Roma to begin talks over a potential deal to sign Nicolo Zaniolo this month.
The 23-year-old’s future has become an increasingly prominent talking point over the past week as it has been reported that he is looking to leave the Giallorossi.
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Zaniolo has enjoyed a good spell with the capital club, scoring 24 goals and providing 18 assists in 128 appearances, and despite two serious knee injuries, he has remained a key figure for them while also earning 11 caps for Italy.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Milan have made an approach to Roma to open talks over an initial loan move for Zaniolo with an obligation to buy, with the Rossoneri prepared to pay up to €25m in the summer to make the move permanent.
However, it’s suggested that there is still some distance between the two clubs, as Roma want between €35m-€40m for the Italian international, and so now it remains to be seen if discussions ultimately result in a compromise being reached that all parties are happy with.
It’s added that Milan could face competition from Tottenham, and so it’s hoped that if Zaniolo is a priority for us this month, we can make progress in talks quickly and avoid being beaten to his signature.
Given our form either side of the World Cup break and particularly the concerns over the level of performances, Stefano Pioli will perhaps welcome the arrival of any reinforcements this month to give us a boost in our pursuit of further success.
Zaniolo would potentially add more quality for us in the final third and give the Milan boss another important option to try and rediscover a winning formula with his side, and so it remains to be seen if an agreement can be struck in the coming days.
Given the figures touted on either side, that does seem like a significant gap to bridge. Time will tell just how serious Milan are about bringing Zaniolo to the club, and in turn what the knock-on effect would be if we do sign him for others currently in the squad in terms of their respective positions in the pecking order.