According to a recent report by the Italian news outlet, Corriere Dello Sport, Manchester City are plotting a £43m bid to secure the services of AS Roma youngster Nicolo Zaniolo this summer. The same source has revealed that the Citizens are planning a summer move to bring the Italian talent to the Etihad Stadium ahead of the new campaign.
Zaniolo’s Remarkable Rise In Italian Football
The Massa born talent came through the youth ranks of Fiorentina before joining the Entella Under-19 side on a free transfer back in 2016. The Italian starlet was soon picked up by Inter Milan, but he failed to earn any first-team opportunities at the San Siro and was shipped out to AS Roma last summer.
The 19-year-old has risen to prominence at the Serie A club after putting in some eye-catching displays for them during this campaign. Zaniolo has featured in 30 matches for Roma this term, scoring six goals while creating two assists in all competitions.
At the tender age of 19, he has already managed to earn two international caps for Italy which is a remarkable feat for such a young player like him.
What Will He Bring To The Etihad Stadium?
Zaniolo boasts decent pace and is a good dribbler with the ball at his feet. He has also started to add more goals to his game and can link up play well with his teammates in the opposition half. However, he is still unproven outside Italy, so there are some question marks regarding his ability to cope with the physical toll of Premier League football.
Is The Italian Starlet The Right Fit For The Citizens?
At 19, the Italian wonderkid has massive potential and could be nurtured into one of the stars of the future. Pep Guardiola has shown in the recent past that he can make the most of his young players as evidenced by the rise of players such as Raheem Sterling, Leroy Sane and Phil Foden. Hence, Zaniolo will be an excellent fit for the Citizens who could come in and help them win some trophies in the coming years.
However, at this moment, he is still not ready to play in Guardiola’s first-team regularly, so Manchester City needs to be patient with him if they want to see the best of his talents soon.
