Transfer News: Boost for Liverpool as summer target Nicolo Zaniolo makes AS Roma contract demand
According to Italian outlets La Gazzetta dello Sport and Il Messaggero (h/t The Express), former Liverpool target Nicolo Zaniolo, has demanded a wage package in excess of what AS Roma are willing to offer him.
Currently, Roma has prepared a deal of £3 million per season for the Italian. However, his entourage believes that his performances this season warrant an even bigger raise.
Roma want to tie him down to a contract that would expire in the summer of 2027 at the very least. Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea were the other two Premier League clubs alongside Liverpool that were keen on signing the former Inter Milan star this summer.
He continues to be an important part of manager Jose Mourinho’s team. This season, despite the addition of superstar Paulo Dybala from Juventus on a free transfer, Zaniolo played in both of Roma’s first two Serie A games.
He is since out due to an injury. Zaniolo’s current deal expires in the summer of 2024 (Transfermarkt). That obviously, would make Roma anxious about the future of the 23-year-old playmaker.
Zaniolo Style of Play
The player is good on the ball, as a midfielder should be and additionally due to his high work rate and defensive abilities, has been used in central midfield on numerous occasions. His versatility is one of the main reasons why he is on the radar of top European clubs.
With his current contract dying down in 2024, Roma should make a decision. Whether to accept the pay demands of one of their brightest talents or cash in on the midfielder while there is still a decent amount of time.
Moreover, if Liverpool can afford to pay his wage demands, then our fans would surely want the Reds to consider a move for him. There have been injury issues with the player, but they are not very different from what we are facing now.
Plus, he will reduce the average age of the squad considerably given how none of our central midfielders are below the age of 31 bar the injury-prone Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain and Naby Keita.
Harvey Elliott and Fabio Carvalho are not natural central midfielders with a defensive nous as of now, hence they are discounted while Curtis Jones has also been made to adapt to playing in a midfield three.
In 42 appearances across all competitions, the Italian has scored eight goals and racked up nine assists. Despite goals and assists, Zaniolo has that natural ability to make things happen in the final third.
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Even though there isn’t any interest from Liverpool currently, the 23-year-old would not be a bad option to choose from by any means going into the future.
