Mourinho claims Zaniolo said he 'no longer wants to play' for Roma

Jose Mourinho SLAMS wantaway midfielder Nicolo Zaniolo… as he claims the Roma star has told him he ‘doesn’t want to play or train’ at the club anymore despite REJECTING a move to Bournemouth

• Nicolo Zaniolo is linked with a move to Tottenham, AC Milan and Bournemouth
• The Roma midfielder reportedly rejected the opportunity to join the Cherries
• Jose Mourinho has revealed how Zaniolo told him he didn’t want to train or play 

Roma boss Jose Mourinho has slammed wantaway star Nicolo Zaniolo and claimed the midfielder has informed him he doesn’t want to play or train with the Serie A side anymore.

The 23-year-old attacking midfielder has been linked with a move to Tottenham, AC Milan and Bournemouth this month. 

It was reported yesterday how Zaniolo has infuriated Roma by rejecting a move to Bournemouth despite the prospect of a significant pay rise – and he refused to even meet with a delegation from the club after they came to Rome for talks.

Roma boss Jose Mourinho has slammed the attitude of  wantaway midfielder Nicolo Zaniolo 

And Mourinho was clearly angry too and was heavily critical of the midfielder in his pre-match press conference ahead of his side’s Serie A clash with Napoli on Sunday.

‘He told me, the club and his teammates that he doesn’t want to play for Roma,’ Mourinho said to Gianluca Di Marzio.

‘He said he doesn’t want to go back to playing with the team, that he doesn’t want to train with the team.’

Regarding the Bournemouth talks, Sky Sport Italia explained how Zaniolo – who has made 17 appearances for the club this season – sent his agent Claudio Vigorelli instead. 

Mourinho (L) claimed Zaniolo (R) has told him he no longer wants to play or train at Roma

Roma are now believed to be considering disciplinary action against the player, who has decided he doesn’t want to see out his contract through until 2024. 

The Cherries were keen to quickly wrap up a £26.4million deal – matching Roma’s asking price – but Zaniolo embarrassed his club by refusing to sit round the negotiating table.

Zaniolo has also been linked with a loan move to Tottenham Hotspur and a permanent £17.6m transfer to fellow Serie A side AC Milan.

Ironically, Tottenham and Milan are set to meet in the last-16 of the Champions League next month.

The Italian midfielder has been linked with moves to Tottenham, AC Milan and Bournemouth

But Bournemouth were prepared to offer considerably more than Milan and also a contract of around £4.4m-a-year – double the amount Zaniolo was wanting.

Zaniolo’s refusal to even meet with Bournemouth’s delegation has left Roma’s owners fuming and they feel his actions have lowered the club’s standing.

With Milan and Tottenham backing away from negotiations because of Roma’s asking price, Bournemouth is currently the only option on the table for Zanilo.

However, reports in Italy, suggest Juventus could emerge as a possible destination if they complete the sale of Weston McKennie, who is set to move to Leeds United. It has been reported that Zaniolo is a Juventus fan.

Zaniolo, who has played 11 times for Italy, is in his fifth season at Roma. He has scored 24 times in 128 appearances in that time, with his progress checked by two anterior cruciate ligament injuries.

But he rejected an opportunity to join the Cherries and failed to meet a club delegation

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