Late on Wednesday evening, AS Roma confirmed the news that everyone had been expecting – attacker Nicolo Zaniola had officially completed his move away from the club to Turkish side Galatasaray.
The versatile Italian international attacker has not had the greatest of seasons under manager Jose Mourinho in the 2022/23 campaign and having grown unhappy in the capital, it was not a great secret during the January transfer window that the 23 year old was keen to secure a move away to Milan – but both clubs failed to agree a deal, and with Zaniolo rejecting a move to English side Bournemouth, he was basically left as a spare part at the club and robust single sport betting canada markets would probably have thought that would be where he stayed.
However, new negotiations were opened with Galatasaray, and it has now been confirmed that the deal has gone through with the player signing a four and a half year deal, reportedly worth in the region of 3.5 million Euros a year. It is further reported that he does have a 35 million Euro release fee built in, with Roma continuing to have a 15% sell on clause.
The initial deal will see the Turkish side pay Roma 16.5 million Euros, with a further 13 million Euros in add on clauses, although reports imply that some of those clauses are more likely to be reached than others.
A Roma statement read.
“AS Roma can confirm that an agreement has been reached with Galatasaray for Nicolo Zaniolo. The forward has completed a move to the Turkish club on a permanent basis. Zaniolo joined the Giallorossi in the summer of 2018, going on to make 128 appearances for the club in all competitions – scoring 24 goals.”
With confirmation of his departure now in and the paperwork going through prior to the closure of the Turkish transfer window, it will be interesting to see if anything comes of the speculation that surfaced earlier in the week that suggested Roma had been offered former Real Madrid midfielder Isco as a potential replacement.
In a report carried by Calciomercato, an intermediary made the suggestion. The 30 year old experienced Spaniard started this season with Sevilla, but just four months in, agreement was struck for a mutual termination and although he was then on the verge of joining German side Union Berlin, that fell down at the last minute over contract demands.
At Sevilla, it is believed he was on 1 million Euros net with add ons that could mean he potentially earned just under 5 million Euros in total and it seems that is the deal he is keen to secure again.
As a free agent, his capture is not dependent on transfer windows being closed – so it is potentially one to watch here.
