Nicolo Zaniolo is eyeing up a departure from Aston Villa and a return to the Serie A this summer.
According to a report by La Gazzetta dello Sport via TMW, Nicolo Zaniolo is unsettled in Aston Villa due to a lack of playing time. The player is gunning for a spot in Italy’s squad for Euro 2024. The national team manager Luciano Spalletti has called him to understand his sudden fall in Unai Emery’s pecking order.
Between August and early December, Zaniolo made 10 appearances (out of 13) in the league and scored one goal in a total of 470 minutes. This was in addition to featuring in Villa’s six Conference League group-stage matches. However, Emery’s faith in the attacking midfielder dealt a blow, resulting in him getting only 71 minutes in the league and 31 minutes in the F.A. Cup during the period between Christmas and the new calendar year. This game time shortage reduces the chances of the player continuing with the Birmingham-based side.
Aston Villa have already decided not to materialise a permanent transfer of the 24-year-old and he will go back to his parent club Galatasaray. Zaniolo’s choice is to return to the Serie A and play for Milan as the Rossoneri too are monitoring his progress. Napoli and Fiorentina have also kept their respective radars on alert and a transfer battle may ensue if there is any movement regarding the Italian international’s future.
Trambak Bhattacherjee | GIFN
