According to a recent report by the Italian news outlet Il Tempo (via the Metro), Manchester United have joined the chase to secure the signature of AS Roma midfielder Nicolo Zaniolo during this summer transfer window. The same source has also stated that the Red Devils have moved ahead of Tottenham Hotspur in pursuit of the Italian midfielder in this off-season.
However, Roma’s sporting director Gianluca Petrachi ruled out the possibility of Zaniolo’s departure in a press conference earlier this week when he said (via Calciomercato),
“I take this opportunity to say that when I appreciated Zaniolo with all the affection of this world to return to the tracks if he had left, it was immediately said that Petrachi put Zaniolo up for sale.
“This is not true.
“I have to work to try to get the best out of Zaniolo.
“I am also a very practical person, I have direct contact with my players.
“I never put Zaniolo up for sale, nor did I say it was on the market.
“The market is full of pitfalls, but today Zaniolo is not on the market.”
If Roma are not looking to cash in on the Italian prospect this summer, then it would be increasingly difficult for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to land him this summer. Man United cannot orchestrate a move for Zaniolo without splashing big money to convince the Serie A club to do business.
The Rapid Emergence Of Zaniolo In The Italian Top-Flight
The 20-year-old has remarkable potential and is widely regarded as one of the best young talents in Italian football. The Massa-born rising star worked his way up Fiorentina’s youth system before he joined Entella as a teen sensation in the summer of 2016. Zaniolo went on to represent Inter Milan before his career-defining switch to AS Roma last summer.
The Italian midfield ace registered four goals and created two assists in 27 matches for Roma in the Serie A thus far. He has also earned two international appearances for Italy and might be destined to play an integral role for his nation in the coming years.
What Are The Italian Starlet Bring To The Theatre Of Dreams?
Zaniolo is quick and agile, which helps him make some dangerous runs from midfield. The Italian whizkid has also added a few goals and assists to his game, but he still needs to be more productive in the final third.
At 20, he is too inexperienced to make an immediate impact in English football. However, if Solskjaer is willing to be patient with him, then the Italian could turn out to be a world-class player in his position someday.
The addition of Zaniolo will undoubtedly improve the overall depth of the Red Devils squad. He will not only increase competition for places within Solskjaer’s team but will also add more dynamism to the Man United midfield.
