Newcastle target ‘says yes’ to Aston Villa as Monchi, Emery add £26m forward to ‘top of shortlist’
Aston Villa sporting director Monchi has identified Galatasaray forward Nicolo Zaniolo as a “concrete” target, according to Fabrizio Romano.
After impressing at youth level for Genoa, Fiorentina and Entella in Italy, Zaniolo earned a move to Inter in 2017, though he failed to make a single first-team appearance for the Nerazzurri.
His lack of opportunities at San Siro called AS Roma into action. The Giallorossi paid around €6.75million to sign the Italian international from their Serie A rivals and the player went on to make 128 appearances for them before joining Galatasaray for €15m in January.
The 24-year-old has scored five goals and made one assist in 12 appearances for the Turkish giants and is already being linked with an exit.
A move to Juventus was mooted earlier this summer, though it has gone very quiet on that front.
Speaking in June, Zaniolo said he is enjoying life in Istanbul but refused to close the door on a move to the Old Lady.
“I feel great at Galatasaray,” he told Gazzetta. “I’m open to any solution. I’ve always been a Juventus fan… top club, I’d love to play their.
“If there’s a good chance for all parties with Juventus, perfect. Otherwise, I’ll stay at Galatasaray where I feel very good.”
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He added: “Juventus is Juventus, with or without Champions League it doesn’t matter. I’ve always been Juve fan. Pogba was my idol. I’d love to play there.
“I feel very good in Turkey. Galatasaray fans are really incredible.”
As touched on, rumours of a transfer to Juventus have died down, but there appears to be interest from the Premier League.
As relayed by Football365 earlier this week, Turkish outlet Milliyet said Newcastle United are battling Juve, AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain for Zaniolo’s signature.
It has also been reported in Turkey that Zaniolo could leave Gala for as little as £26million.
Another English side have been added to the mix, however.
According to transfer expert Romano, Aston Villa are currently “working on a deal” to bring Zaniolo to the Midlands.
The club’s sporting director, Monchi, has apparently put Zaniolo towards the top of his transfer shortlist and the player is a “concrete possibility being discussed”.
Romano wrote on Twitter: “Understand Aston Villa are working on deal to sign Nicolo Zaniolo. It’s concrete possibility being discussed, one of the top names in the list.
“Villa director Monchi signed Zaniolo at Roma from Inter and negotiations will follow with Galatasaray. Deal on.”
The Villans’ interest has also been reported by Relevo journalist Matte Moretto.
Moretto says Zaniolo has ‘already said yes’ to the transfer with Galatasaray and Villa currently in ‘negotiations’.
Unai Emery’s side have been very ambitious in the summer transfer window, completing the signings of Pau Torres, Youri Tielemans and Moussa Diaby.