Nicolo Zaniolo is keen to join Aston Villa, with the Midlands club now pushing ahead to find an agreement with Galatasaray.
Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Aston Villa are pushing to find an agreement with Galatasaray after Nicolo Zaniolo gave his green light for the move. The 24-year-old Italian international could move on loan to Unai Emery’s side after only six months with the Turkish giants.
Injuries and a bad result disrupted Aston Villa’s plans for a perfect start to the season. Newcastle United thumped Unai Emery’s side 5-1 on the opening Premier League weekend. During the game, the Midlands club also lost key defender Tyrone Mings to a severe knee injury, their second in a short span.
Earlier last week, Emi Buendia also suffered an ACL injury to his knee, with the duo now effectively set to miss most of the current season. After the Argentine’s injury, Emery had immediately signalled the intention to sign a replacement and could also bring in another defender before the window shuts.
Aston Villa have recruited smartly during this window, with Pau Torres, Youri Tielemans and Moussa Diaby arriving to join Emery’s squad. Now, the manager wants Nicolo Zaniolo to replace Buendia in his team and fill the void left by the Argentine’s absence.
Nicolò Zaniolo, insisting to join Aston Villa after official loan with option to buy clause submitted as revealed last week 🟣🔵 #AVFC
Villa hope to complete the agreement soon, already this week. pic.twitter.com/YKw6iRDE8b
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 14, 2023
Galatasaray signed the 24-year-old Italian international after the January window as they looked like the only available option at that time for Zaniolo. He desperately wanted to leave AS Roma and found a favourable agreement with the Turkish giants.
His contract includes a €35 million release clause. But Galatasaray are open to accepting a lower offer. Villa submitted a loan offer with a €3 million fee and a €20 million buy option for next summer. In addition, there are around €7 million in bonuses if they take up the purchase clause.
Overall, the deal seems worth €30 million if everything goes to plan. Aston Villa are pushing to sign the 24-year-old Italian international in the coming days. And Fabrizio Romano has now revealed Zaniolo wants a move to Emery’s side.
It is a positive sign for Villa, who will now accelerate their efforts to sign the playmaker from Galatasaray. The Turkish club have yet to respond to the loan offer with the buy option, but there is growing optimism to get the deal over the line.
Villa could then switch their attention towards a new central defender, although few reliable options exist to replace Mings. As for the Zaniolo move will suit the club in their efforts to compete with a highly productive, creative player on their side during the season.
