Nicolo Zaniolo could leave Galatasaray in the summer despite the fact he has only been there for a few months, according to a report.
As per the latest from SportMediaset on Italia Uno (via MilanNews), the former Roma man is admired by Juventus and also by Milan with a return to Italy possible, especially if in the summer the farewell of Brahim Diaz were to occur.
The Spaniard will reach the end of his loan deal from Real Madrid and he is in the sights of Arsenal meaning any chances of a permanent deal could be scuppered and Milan would be forced into looking at how to replace him.
Zaniolo could be one of those options, however there is an obstacle that must be overcome in order to sign him which is the rather hefty €35m release clause that was put in the contract he signed with Galatasaray in February.
Ffs, why is the release clause an obstacle? Just like in any other negoitiation, the clubs can agree on any fee, even 1 mil. The release clause is just an insurance for the player that he’ll be able to leave for that amount. It doesn’t mean he won’t be able to leave for less, if all parties agree on it. In 99% of transfers, all parties agree and the release clause is irrelevant.
I still think Zaniolo is the best realistic option for Milan having regard to:
1. his level of technical ability;
2. his size (190cm / 6’3) , strength, speed and general physicality;
3. his ability to play AM, wing and even as a forward and in deeper midfield roles;
4. his age, which gives him at least 8 year of high quality football (and more than likely 10);
5. being an Italian he is both familiar with the Serie A and not a flight risk (because as a general rule Italians don’t leave Italy). This is key for Milan which will not be able to wage match for at least 10 years or perhaps ever. We also know Zaniolo already agreed to play for Milan only a few months ago.
I think too many people get hung up on the disappointment that his career has been to date. That is a relative concept. It is also the only reason we can consider him. There is no such thing as an AM/10/play maker we can sign on our budget that doesn’t come with the same level or even greater uncertainty.
Zaniolo is not going to be in a form slump forever. He’s going to start taking his chances and when that happens, the sky’s the limit.
I’m parochial, I’ll admit it. I want to see Milan playing as many Italians as possible. But that is not to say it should be at the expense of quality or even that the general idea does not have value of itself.
When Milan was last a great team, it had 4 to 6 Italian starters. Manchester United under Ferguson swept all before it with a team of UK nationals, largely built from its youth academy. The great Barcelona team had Spaniards at its core (who then became the core of the national team that won everything). Even that great Arsenal team of say 98 to 04 was half the French national team.
There is something to be said for the chemistry that follows having a large number of players from the same country in the same team.