According to Il Tempo, Roma may be forced to sell playmaker Nicolo Zaniolo – and Liverpool are interested in snapping him up.
I’s claimed that Roma can ‘no longer’ keep Zaniolo off the market, due to the financial impact of the global pandemic.
Zaniolo and Lorenzo Pellegrini could go, in order to raise funds. Before the pandemic, Zaniolo was valued at €80million (£71.5million), and Liverpool allegedly took steps towards a move.
It’s now stated that Zaniolo isn’t a priority for Jurgen Klopp, but remains on Liverpool’s wish list of transfer targets. A move this summer seems unlikely, as Liverpool will be scaling back their spending.
Still, Roma may have to bring their asking price down for the same reason. Liverpool have a history of waiting for their top targets, such as Virgil van Dijk and Alisson.
Liverpool also have strong ties with Roma, having signed Alisson and Mohamed Salah from them in recent years. It’s noted that Liverpool’s American owners, the Fenway Sports Group, are good friends with compatriot and Roma owner James Pallotta, hence the relationship.
Zaniolo, 20, has excelled since joining Roma from Inter Milan in 2018. In 60 games for Roma, the 6ft 3in star has notched 12 goals and five assists.
A number 10 or a right winger, Zaniolo is a versatile attacker who could fill a couple of roles in Klopp’s front line. Maybe that’s why the Reds have been interested, and he’s a name to keep an eye on for the future even if a summer move seems hard of imagine.
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