FABRIZIO ROMANO CLAIMS NICOLO ZANIOLO NEARING GALATASARAY TRANSFER AFTER SPURS TALKS

Nicolo Zaniolo is pushing to join Galatasaray from Roma after links to Leeds United and Tottenham Hotspur amounted to nothing.

Sky Italia’s Gianluca Di Marzio reported on Sunday that Zaniolo had given given his acceptance to a potential move to Turkey.

A permanent deal is being targeted by Galatasaray, but it was suggested that Zaniolo’s release clause demands were too high for the Turkish giants.

Fabrizio Romano now adds that personal terms are ‘100% agreed’ between Galatasaray and Zaniolo though the release clause remains an issue.

Romano claims that the fee involved is around €22million (£19.7million) though the two clubs are still discussing potential add-ons.

Zaniolo appears to be closing in on a shock move to Turkey just weeks after England looked set to be his next destination.

LEEDS UNITED AND TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR WANTED NICOLO ZANIOLO
It has been clear for a while now that Zaniolo’s future lies away from Roma.

Zaniolo hasn’t been featuring of late as he attempted to force a move away, with most expecting a Premier League move.

Italian journalist Rudy Galetti suggested in January that Zaniolo had agreed terms with Tottenham Hotspur.

Spurs are linked with Zaniolo in every window at this point, but January did seem like the ideal time for a move as Tottenham chased an attacking addition.

Tottenham ended up signing Arnaut Danjuma instead, shutting off one exit route for Zaniolo.

Calciomercato then claimed on deadline day that Zaniolo fancied a move to Leeds United over Everton and Southampton.

None of those moves materialised either, leaving Zaniolo to consider Turkey as their transfer window is still open.

Zaniolo was supposed to be a star but two major knee injuries slightly changed the expectations for his career.

Still, going from a Premier League move to a switch to Galatasaray feels like a step down for Zaniolo, which may just leave Leeds and Tottenham feeling like they didn’t miss out on that much in the end.