Former Roma midfielder Stefano Impallomeni believes Nicolo Zaniolo will stay at the Serie A giants despite interest from the Premier League and Tottenham Hotspur, speaking to Tuttomercatoweb.
The presence of Zaniolo on Jose Mourinho’s team sheet during last weekend’s friendly meeting between Spurs and Roma certainly added an intriguing subplot to proceedings.
The Italy international, a long-term target of Tottenham director Fabio Paratici, has returned to the gossip columns with a vengeance this summer.
According to reports coming from the continent, the London giants have had an initial £30 million offer turned down. Roma want closer to £42 million for their contract-rebel forward. And, if Gazzetta dello Sport are to be believed, Tottemham used that friendly clash as an opportunity to turn Zaniolo’s head. Whether the plan worked, well only time will tell.
Impallomeni, who started his career at the Stadio Olimpico in the 1980s, is convinced that Zaniolo still has a future in the capital despite the former Inter Milan youngster’s apparent reluctance to put pen to paper on a new deal.
Roma or Tottenham for Nicolo Zaniolo?
“I don’t know. For me, he stays,” Impallomeni said when asked if he can see Zaniolo leaving Roma for Tottenham.
“Then, I don’t know if he plays in the front four, plus (Gini) Wijnaldum. I see it difficult (to get all the attackers in Mourinho’s XI). Who is better plays. Competitiveness rises.
“Zaniolo has overcome two serious injuries. He is a good professional but now is the time to become great.”
One of the most talented Italian footballers of his generation bounced back strongly from a second ACL injury in 2021/22, one of his eight goals in all competitions sealing Roma’s first European title in more than 60 years at Feyenoord’s expense.
“Zaniolo has incredible potential,” says Serie A legend Zbigniew Boniek, who believes the 23-year-old has a future as a centre-forward rather than a dynamic attacking midfielder.
“If you ask people what his position is, then everyone will give you a different response. In my view, he is a classic number nine. He can protect the ball, has physical strength, turns defenders well, is good in the air and can shoot.
“I always say when I see (Juventus’ Dusan) Vlahovic play that Zaniolo could do just as well. Perhaps even better, because he also has this strong physicality. He really is a great player.”
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