AS Roma star Nicolo Zaniolo is reportedly keen on leaving the Serie A side as early as January following rumours that Arsenal had made a recent approach to sign the Italian international.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, the 23-year-old attacker has requested to depart Roma this month, with transfer interest once again beginning to build for Zaniolo, with Corriere della Sera reporting this week that Arsenal and Mikel Arteta have actually met the Serie A maestro over a potential transfer.
With a reported asking price of €40m (£34m), Zaniolo has the potential to be one of the bargains of the January transfer window if the right club comes forward to sign the versatile attacker, something Arsenal are certainly looking for this month.
Having missed out on Mykhailo Mudryk to Chelsea earlier in the window, Arsenal are currently on the look for alternatives in the market. And Zaniolo has seemingly emerged as a potential option for the north London side this January.
Indeed, whilst Zaniolo’s stats for this season make for unimpressive reading in two goals and three assists in all competitions, the Tuscan-born player’s quality is undeniable, and Arteta could be the manager to get the best out of the youngster.
With Zaniolo available at almost a third of what Chelsea paid to sign Mudryk, the Italian international could be a cost-effective alternative for Arsenal in the market. But, the 23-year-old would be viewed by many as a bit of a gamble based on his form this season and his injury record in the past.
Arsenal are playing with fire if they sign Zaniolo
Zaniolo’s quality is obvious to see, with the attacker once viewed as the future of Italian football and a player who looked destined for the top. However, injuries have played a major role in slowing down the forward’s progression. And even at 23, Arsenal signing the Roma star could be a risk for Arteta.
As we know, the Arsenal manager is only interested in bringing in players who have the quality to make an immediate impact in the squad. And given what Zaniolo has been like over the last few seasons under Jose Mourinho, signing the attacker could be a gamble the north London side are unwilling to take.
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