Leeds United 'are in constant contact with Roma over Nicolo Zaniolo'
Leeds United ‘are in constant contact with Roma over Nicolo Zaniolo and want to take the winger on loan’… after the Italian snubbed Bournemouth and was ‘confronted by angry ultras’ as he seeks a deadline day exit
- Leeds have reportedly joined the race to sign Roma winger Nicolo Zaniolo
- The Whites are said to be in ‘constant contact’ with Roma over a loan deal
- Transfer News LIVE: Keep up-to-date with all the latest developments and deals
Leeds United are holding regular talks with Roma over a deadline day swoop for Nicolo Zaniolo, according to reports.
The winger has emerged as a big target for a number of Premier League clubs – including Tottenham – after becoming available at the Italian outfit, who are willing to let him leave.
Now the Whites are said to be looking at a loan move and are in ‘constant contact’ with Roma about a deal as they look to secure a deadline day swoop, according to Get Italian Football News.
Leeds United are in ‘constant contact’ with Roma over Nicolo Zaniolo ahead of a possible loan
Leeds see Zaniolo as the perfect replacement for Jack Harrison, the report goes on, with the club ready to listen to offers for the player amid interest from Leicester.
Sealing a move for Zaniolo would continue Leeds’ busy transfer window – having already landed Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie, Red Bull defender Max Wober, Hoffenheim forward Georginio Rutter and Diogo Monteiro this month.
The race to sign Zaniolo comes after Tottenham’s move for the 23-year-old broke down, before the player rejected a move to Bournemouth.
Leeds United boss Jesse Marsch is hoping to make Zaniolo his fourth signing of the window
The relegation threatened side are the only club to have met Roma’s asking price, offering a reported £30m plus add-ons – but the Serie A side were left furious after Zaniolo refused to meet Cherries officials who had jetted in to conclude the deal.
AC Milan were also interested, but Bournemouth were prepared to offer considerably more than them – including a contract of around £4.4m-a-year – double the amount Zaniolo was wanting.
Zaniolo has made it clear he wants to exit Roma after Jose Mourinho claimed the player refused to train.
‘He told me, the club and his teammates that he doesn’t want to play for Roma,’ Mourinho said to Gianluca Di Marzio.
Mourinho (L) claimed Zaniolo (R) has told him he no longer wants to play or train at Roma
‘He said he doesn’t want to go back to playing with the team, that he doesn’t want to train with the team.’
His attitude has reportedly led to fury from Roma’s ultras – who are said to have gathered outside his house, causing Zaniolo to call the police.
It is reported that they sang: ‘S**t! If we lost it’s all your fault. Go away!’. The ultras later dispersed after the police were called.
Zaniolo’s mother Francesca Costa later claimed the hatred of her son is ‘excessive’. A message on a wall in Trigoria read: ‘Zaniolo executioner, your mother is a great s**t.’
Francesca said: ‘Having originated all this hatred seems a little excessive to me.’
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