Liverpool are monitoring the availability of Roma forward Nicolo Zaniolo ahead of this summer’s transfer window.
That’s according to Gazzetta Dello Sport, who claim that Liverpool have been watching the 22-year-old ‘for some time.’
The Italian publication claim that a summer exit could be possible for Zaniolo. He is yet to agree fresh terms on a deal running out in 2023.
However, it may prove tricky for Liverpool to lure the Italian away from his homeland. Zaniolo reportedly also has interest from Tottenham Hotspur but would prefer a move to Juventus or AC Milan. The Serie A pair are said to be keen on him too.
It’s reported that a bid of £55m-£65m would be needed to give the English clubs a chance of bringing him to the Premier League.
Stick or twist time for Zaniolo
The news that Liverpool are monitoring Zaniolo doesn’t come from nowhere. Back in February, Calciomercato also noted that The Reds had an eye on his contract situation at Roma.
Since then, and throughout the season really, the winger has experienced some patchy form.
His main issue has always been injuries. At the age of twenty-two he has already suffered damaging ACL injuries to each knee. That’s desperately unlucky.
He has still been able to show his quality though. Last month, we wrote about how he could fit in at Liverpool following a devastating hat-trick in the Europa Conference League game against Bodo/Glimt.
If he is able to stay fit and demonstrate that he can do that on a more regular basis, he may be worth the kind of money being quoted.
For now though, his fitness remains a question mark that just cannot be overlooked. Roma and Jose Mourinho look to be keen to get Zaniolo’s future resolved one way or another. Last month Mourinho claimed that his contract at the club had become an ‘obsession’ for the Italian press.
Liverpool have big decisions to make over the futures of Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah this summer. Zaniolo’s medium-term future, whatever that may be, should be decided over the off-season as well.
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