According to a report by Corriere dello Sport, Leeds United rejected the chance to sign Nicolo Zaniolo in the final hours of deadline day, due to the presence of an obligation to buy in the proposed loan agreement.
Once described as a player with ‘flashes of genius’ by Fabio Capello, the Italian international was exit-bound but ultimately, AC Milan reportedly dropped out of the race to sign him, while he did not fancy a switch to Bournemouth, despite a £25 million bid accepted to sell him (via Tutto Mercato Web).
While this gave Leeds a clear run at landing Nicolo Zaniolo on deadline day, the loan agreement that was proposed meant they decided not to pursue his signature.
Details behind Leeds rejecting deadline day loan for Zaniolo
Corriere dello Sport have reported that Roma chief Tiago Pinto ‘contacted’ Leeds to persuade them to take Nicolo Zaniolo on loan during the final hours of deadline day.
Alongside the recently-signed Weston McKennie, one imagines that the arrival of another talented import from Italy would have galvanised the Elland Road faithful.
However, Leeds never ‘accepted’ the loan conditions for Zaniolo on deadline day. Furthermore, it has also been claimed that if the Whites would have made a move for the 23-year-old, it would have been dependent on other conditions, namely potentially offloading the Leicester-linked Jack Harrison.
A risk not worth taking for Zaniolo
Of course, there is no denying that the Roma midfielder has always been extremely naturally talented, and can turn any game on its head on his day.
But those days have been few and far between during his career so far, which would made Leeds United potentially agreeing to sign Zaniolo on loan with an obligation to buy a major risk.
In the event that the silky technician failed to live up to the billing, Jesse Marsch’s side would have had to sign an underperforming player, who is also likely to have taken home massive wages, which makes it a smart call at the end of the day.
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