According to Fabrizio Romano, Nicolo Zaniolo, who Tottenham reportedly came close to signing in January, will have a €35m (£31m) release clause in his Galatasaray contract.
Spurs were allegedly close to reaching a full agreement with Roma for Zaniolo on a loan deal with an option to buy last month (90 min) but the deal did not materialise in the end, with Antonio Conte’s men snapping up Arnaut Danjuma instead while the 23-year-old stayed put at the Italian capital.
Since the closure of the transfer window, multiple Italian outlets have revealed that there was no way back for the winger with the Giallorossi as he had fallen out with Jose Mourinho and the club’s hierarchy (Il Messaggero).
Alfredo Pedulla reported on Sunday that Galatasaray were looking to sign Zaniolo on loan with an option to buy and that the club were waiting for the Roma star to give a green light to the move.
If Romano’s latest update is to be believed, the Turkish club paid a fee of €20m-€22m (£17.7m-£19.5m) to sign the attacker and the move has been confirmed by Roma. This will include a £31m release clause, meaning Spurs could still make a simple move for him in the summer if they wanted.
Nicolò Zaniolo, set to fly to Istanbul on Tuesday afternoon to become new Galatasaray player if all goes to plan in the morning with the contracts & documents 🟡🔴 #Gala
▫️ €35m release clause included;
▫️ €20/22m to AS Roma;
▫️ €3.5m salary/season;
▫️ Four year contract. pic.twitter.com/sKYmSGAJ0k— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 7, 2023
Spurs Web Opinion
If it is true that Zaniolo has been sold for less than £20m, Roma would probably be kicking themselves for not accepting Tottenham’s offer for the winger last summer.
I would not be surprised if Spurs reignite their interest in the 23-year-old should he prove his fitness in Turkey over the next six months.