Politano set for Spinazzola swap

Roma are stepping up their pursuit of Inter winger Matteo Politano, exchanging him with Leonardo Spinazzola, replacing injured Nicolò Zaniolo.

The Giallorossi are forced to change plan after Zaniolo ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus during last night’s 2-1 defeat to Juventus.

He had surgery today, effectively ruling him out for the next five to six months.

Roma are stepping up their pursuit of Inter winger Matteo Politano, exchanging him with Leonardo Spinazzola, replacing injured Nicolò Zaniolo.

The Giallorossi are forced to change plan after Zaniolo ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus during last night’s 2-1 defeat to Juventus.

He had surgery today, effectively ruling him out for the next five to six months.

Suso was mentioned as a candidate to come in from Milan, but Sportitalia and Sky Sport Italia claim Roma are working hard to get Politano instead.

Gianluca Di Marzio points to a potential exchange deal between Politano and full-back Spinazzola, who would resolve an issue for Inter on the left.

They are both valued at approximately €25m, but it remains to be seen if it’ll be a swap of loans, permanent or loan with option to buy.

This represents a return for the 26-year-old Politano, who is from the Capital and started his career at the Roma youth academy, leaving for Sassuolo in 2016.

Milan, Fiorentina and Napoli had also been linked with Politano.

As for Spinazzola, this would have a knock-on effect for the Inter transfer strategy, seeing him preferred to Manchester United's Ashley Young.