Roma would prefer to sell Nicolo Zaniolo to Liverpool rather than Juventus, with Il Sussidario suggesting that a exchange involving Dejan Lovren could be on the cards this summer.
Swap deals are likely to be the order of the day this summer.
With transfer funds in short supply all over Europe during a period of unprecedented financial uncertainty, the likes of Liverpool will have to think outside the box if they want to sign players of Zaniolo’s ilk.
As the report points out, the Italy international playmaker is valued at around £50 million. And considering that Liverpool prioritising a deal for RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner, with Jurgen Klopp telling the board that he would be the ‘perfect’ addition (Guardian), there will not be much money left over for Zaniolo.
But that does not mean a dynamic 20-year-old let go by Inter Milan will not end up at Anfield.
As Sussidario points out, Roma know Liverpool are interested. And, if Zaniolo does depart, the capital club would be much happier seeing their star man join Mo Salah and Alisson Becker on Merseyside as opposed to strengthing the ranks of bitter Serie A rivals Juventus.
Who can blame them? Juve are already miles ahead of Roma and, if Zaniolo heads to Turin, the gap would turn into a chasm.
What’s more, Roma could bring Croatian centre-back Lovren to the Stadio Olimpico as part of a deal that would see Zaniolo join Liverpool for a fraction of his £50 million price-tag.
The Giallorossi may be forced to sell if they miss out on a place in the Champions League (which looks very likely right now). So a Lovren-Zaniolo swap deal could be the best solution for all parties.
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