Nicolò Zaniolo has expressed a wish to return to Serie A in the near future, with AC Milan being a potential suitor.
Zaniolo’s stint at Aston Villa isn’t going well because he isn’t receiving much playing time under Unai Emery, and they are unlikely to exercise the option to buy to make the transaction permanent.
According to Calciomercato.com, during an interview with Corriere dello Sport published this morning, the attacker expressed a desire to return to Serie A after leaving Roma in February 2023. He played for Galatasaray before moving on to Aston Villa, and he wants to return to Italy.
“I miss Italy, especially my family, friends, and son. But now it’s up to the clubs to decide my destiny; the card is controlled by Galatasaray,” he stated.
“In the meantime, I’d want to thank Monchi for believing in me again after bringing me to Rome at the age of 19. Milan? Who knows. I instructed my representative to notify me only if there was something very concrete.
“Certainly, for what Roma represented for me and out of respect for the Lazio fans, a transfer to the Biancoceleste [Lazio] would be unthinkable.”
Milan contact
According to Calciomercato.com, no clubs have yet expressed interest in Zaniolo, and it is too early to predict how things will go, although his entourage did make contact with Milan.
The Rossoneri could return next summer to assess the operation’s feasibility and costs. However, Zaniolo has always supported Juventus, and the player has stated publicly multiple times that his desire is to wear the black and white shirt he wore as a child.
Fiorentina is another club that has considered Zaniolo and may make a try in the summer, although it is unclear whether the operation’s costs will be within the club’s budget.
Head coach factor
It’s obvious that a lot will rely on who coaches these clubs. Juventus could change, Vincenzo Italiano is likely to quit Fiorentina, and Stefano Pioli’s fate as Milan manager is also uncertain.
Simone Inzaghi is almost certain to stay at Inter, although Zaniolo would be uncomfortable in his 3-5-2 formation. A return to Roma should also be ruled out, as he will earn money if the club sells in the summer, according to a contract condition.
Whoever wants Zaniolo will have to deal with Galatasaray, who signed him from Roma in February 2023 for €15 million. Last summer, Nicolò chose to join Aston Villa for a €5 million loan fee and a €27 million buy-out clause if he played 80% of the season’s minutes.
So yet, Zaniolo hasn’t even reached that percentage. To date, it is almost impossible for him to stay with the Villans, therefore he hopes to return to Serie A.
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