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Roma are targeting a solution to their Nicolo Zaniolo crisis before Tuesday’s transfer deadline after the winger was “not very happy” about the prospect of joining Bournemouth.
The Italy international was strongly linked with Tottenham earlier this month; however, Antonio Conte subsequently signed Arnaut Danjuma on loan from Villarreal as a solution to his wide attacking midfield needs.
Bournemouth subsequently emerged as frontrunners, with the team third from bottom of the Premier League seeing Zaniolo as a player who could help them to safety in their first campaign back in the top flight.
Reports suggested Roma and Bournemouth had reached an agreement on a deal worth an initial £26.3million (€30m), but it appears Zaniolo is not sold on the idea of joining the English south-coast club.
Roma head coach Jose Mourinho has expressed major frustration over Zaniolo asking to leave and then stalling when the opportunity arose, saying it “unfortunately” seemed the 23-year-old would end up staying with the Giallorossi.
When asked about firm opportunities to sell Zaniolo, Roma general manager Tiago Pinto said on Sunday: “I have no problem answering this question, everyone understood what happened.
“Zaniolo asked to be sold, and together with the agent we found a solution. We succeeded, but now Nicolo is not very happy with the solution that has arrived, and obviously we are all in a bit of difficulty.”
Last season saw Zaniolo score the only goal of the inaugural Europa Conference League final, as Roma beat Feyenoord, yet his time at the Stadio Olimpico may be up.
Speaking to DAZN, Pinto said Roma would not be able to buy a player to take Zaniolo’s place before sealing the sale of the former Inter youth-team player.
He, too, is frustrated by Zaniolo’s stalling on a transfer, with time at a premium.
“We found this solution following a request from the player and, as you know, with all the limits that we have with financial fair play we are not exactly a company that can yield to Zaniolo’s no and take on other players,” Pinto said.
“We are always bound by those limits. Now we have another 48 hours, let’s see what happens. I don’t want to dwell on this issue, it is really a difficult situation for us.”
