Nicolo Zaniolo’s winter move to Galatasaray was one of the most surprising deals of the entire window, yet the Tottenham target has hit the ground running in Turkey with a goal on his debut.
The Italian international came on as a late substitute for the Istanbul giants in a friendly match against Alanyaspor with the Turkish Super Lig currently on hold amid the devastating earthquake earlier this month that has tragically taken over 50,000 lives across Turkey and Syria.
It was a sombre occasion with football offering as much light as possible in a time of crisis for the people of Turkey, and Zaniolo managed to put smiles on the faces of Galatasaray fans with a great goal in stoppage time to secure a 4-2 win, embarrassing the Alanyaspor goalkeeper in the process.
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Zaniolo bags first Galatasaray goal after snubbing Tottenham move
Zaniolo looked set for a move to Tottenham in January, with journalist Rudy Galetti claiming that the north London club had reached an agreement with AS Roma to sign the forward. Yet as we know, a deal failed to materialise, with the Italian instead making the unusual move to Turkey.
Indeed, the Turkish Super Lig is viewed by many as a division where talents go to earn a quick payday whilst also remaining in Europe. However, based on how Zaniolo took his first goal for Galatasaray, the 23-year-old is not here to lay back and collect his paycheque.
With Zaniolo’s contract at Galatasaray holding a release clause that is already active, there’s every chance that the former Serie A star can win a move to one of Europe’s elite in the upcoming summer transfer window if the versatile attacker impresses in Turkey, with a goal on his unofficial debut a promising sign of what’s to come.
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