Nicolo Zaniolo angers Roma by snubbing Bournemouth offer

Nicolo Zaniolo leaves Roma FURIOUS after refusing to meet executives from Bournemouth who’d flown in by private jet to conclude a £26m deal for the Italy midfielder… despite the Cherries offering to double his wages

  • Bournemouth had offered Roma £26m to conclude a quick deal for the Italy star
  • Zaniolo had asked to leave Roma but then refused to meet with the Cherries
  • Tottenham and AC Milan had been interested but decided not to pursue him 

Nicolo Zaniolo has infuriated Roma by rejecting a move to Bournemouth despite the prospect of a significant pay rise.

The 23-year-old Italy international attacking midfielder even refused to meet with an executive delegation from Bournemouth after they arrived in Rome for talks on a private jet.

The Cherries were keen to quickly wrap up a £26.4million deal – matching Roma’s asking price – but Zaniolo embarrassed his club by refusing to sit round the negotiating table, according to Sky Sport Italia.

Nicolo Zaniolo has infuriated his club Roma by refusing to meet with executive from Bournemouth who wanted to complete a £26.4million deal for him

The Italy international sent his agent to the discussions with Bournemouth instead

The Italy international sent his agent to the discussions with Bournemouth instead

Instead, Zaniolo sent his agent Claudio Vigorelli and Roma are now believed to be considering disciplinary action against the player, who has decided he doesn’t want to see out his contract through until 2024.

Zaniolo has also been linked with a loan move to Tottenham Hotspur and a permanent £17.6m transfer to fellow Serie A side AC Milan.

Ironically, Tottenham and Milan are set to meet in the last-16 of the Champions League next month.

But Bournemouth were prepared to offer considerably more than Milan and also a contract of around £4,4m-a-year – double the amount Zaniolo was wanting.

Bournemouth manager Gary O'Neil is looking for reinforcements amid a relegation battle

Bournemouth manager Gary O’Neil is looking for reinforcements amid a relegation battle

Zaniolo’s refusal to even meet with Bournemouth’s delegation has left Roma’s owners fuming and they feel his actions have lowered the club’s standing.

With Milan and Tottenham backing away from negotiations because of Roma’s asking price, Bournemouth is currently the only option on the table.

However, reports in Italy, suggest Juventus could emerge as a possible destination if they complete the sale of Weston McKennie, who has been linked with Leeds United. It has been reported that Zaniolo is a Juventus fan.

Zaniolo, who has played 11 times for Italy, is in his fifth season at Roma. He has scored 24 times in 128 appearances in that time, with his progress checked by two anterior cruciate ligament injuries.

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