Antonio Cassano says it would be ‘madness’ to pay £50 million for Roma’s Nicolo Zaniolo as Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United chase the Italy international, speaking to Christian Vieri’s Twitch channel.
Why don’t you tell us how you really feel, Antonio?
Zaniolo might have scored the winning goal in Roma’s UEFA Conference League final victory over Feyenoord in May – an ingenious, instinctive finish reminiscent of why the former Inter Milan youngster was once labelled the second coming of Paul Gascoigne – but all that goodwill has quickly dissipated in the Italian capital.
According to Calciomercato, Roma have slammed the door on a contract extension. Jose Mourinho’s Giallorossi have grown increasingly frustrated during negotiations with Zaniolo’s camp, and are now looking to cash in at the earliest opportunity. His contract expires in 2024.
Long-time admirers Tottenham have offered Lucas Moura to Roma in an attempt to drive down the Italian’s price-tag (Gazzetta dello Sport). Fabio Paratici met with his opposite number Thiago Pinto in June.
Newcastle are interested too; The Magpies setting their beady eyes on something shiny. Though Zaniolo reportedly has reservations about joining the Tyneside revolution.
But, according to the straight-talking Cassano, anyone willing to spend £50 million on Zaniolo could do with their heads checking.
Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United like Nicolo Zaniolo
“Is Zaniolo strong? What does it mean to be strong? In my opinion, he doesn’t make a difference,” says the former Roma forward.
“He has no qualities. I don’t like him. Why should Juventus bet on him? At his age, there are stronger ones (on the market).”
Cassano’s concerns about Zanolo stem from what he deems to be a lack of vision and end product in the final third.
“Quality is knowing how to play the ball but (he doesn’t have) refined quality. If he is in good shape, he shoots well but he doesn’t know how to dribble. He doesn’t see the last pass, he relies on physical power,” Cassano adds.
“I would never think about going to sign him for 50 million. For me it’s madness.”
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