Roma director Tiago Pinto has insisted that despite the speculation linking Nicolo Zaniolo with a move to Tottenham over the summer, the winger never came close to leaving the Stadio Olimpico.
Zaniolo was heavily linked with a move to Spurs during the transfer window, with Corriere dello Sport (22/08/22 – as relayed by Sport Witness) even claiming a couple of weeks ago that the North London club came ‘very close’ to snapping up the 23-year-old.
The report explained that Pinto was keen on ‘closing the deal’ with the North London club but the Friedkin family, who own the Serie A club, allegedly pulled the plug on the transfer at the last minute.
Zaniolo was handed a start by Jose Mourinho in the club’s first two matches of the season against Salernitana and Cremonese but the Italy international has missed the club’s last two clashes against Juventus and Monza due to a shoulder injury.
Pinto has now revealed that he will meet with the winger’s agent soon to begin talks over a new contract.
The Roma director said about Zaniolo (via The Daily Express): “He was never close to leaving. As we said before, this is a season of recovery for him, he is very happy, helped the team and there was never a problem.
“Now I’ve started organising with his agent that we’ll plan our meetings so as not to fan the flames of press speculation.”
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Spurs Web Opinion
Even if Roma did seriously consider selling Zaniolo to Spurs, I doubt Pinto would make that public, now that the winger has stayed at the club.
I do believe that the Giallorossi would have sold the winger for the right price (potentially around £50m) but perhaps the Tottenham hierarchy felt the asking price was excessive.
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