Andrea Radrizzani explains why Leeds United and Roma couldn’t reach an agreement for Nicolò Zaniolo in January and reveals Louis van Gaal blocked Cody Gakpo’s transfer in the summer.
The Italian owner of Leeds United released an interview with DAZN explaining, among other things, what goes on behind the scenes at Elland Road during transfer windows.
“When we approach a foreign club, a player’s cost rises by €10m only because we are from the Premier League,” he said.
“We were close to signing Gakpo on the deadline day. I had spoken to his father. It was all done with PSV and almost done with him. Unfortunately [the Netherlands coach] Van Gaal called him saying he should have gotten regular playing time before the World Cup. Three months later his value had tripled and he joined Liverpool.”
The Premier League side signed Italy international Wilfried Gnonto in the summer, but the product of Inter academy was supposed to move to England from Zurich in January 2023.
“We were about to sign this Marseille player, Bamba. I had even tweeted it,” said Radrizzani.
“I was about to get on the plane, but he didn’t arrive. I was told he had changed his mind and didn’t want to leave anymore. Eventually, he chose Nice. This is why we signed Gnonto in advance. He was supposed to join in January. Thank god, he arrived. I am proud of him, he is Italian and is such a great guy. He speaks four languages he is open-minded. A fantastic guy. Eventually, Bamba didn’t pass his medical with Nice and remained at Marseille.”
Leeds were also in talks with Club Brugge for Charles De Ketelaere last summer, while Zaniolo was one of their targets this past January.
The Belgian starlet signed for Milan in August completing a €32m transfer and Zaniolo joined Galatasaray from Roma at the beginning of February for €19.5m.
“We were in talks for De Ketelaere but in the end, he chose Milan. Zaniolo? We tried at the last moment. but we didn’t do it because Roma had no spots left for non-EU players.”
Radrizzani also said Leeds director Victor Orta once offered him the chance to sign Federico Chiesa but refused to reveal his favourite Serie A club.
“I can’t say it, I may come to Italy one day. I am attracted and scared by Italy at the same time,” admitted the Leeds owner.
“Whenever I do something in Italy it’s always more complicated. So let’s wait and see.
“The gap [between Premier League and other European leagues] is huge, but to me, we waste too much money [in England],” he continued.
“We pay players too much and we pay too much to sign them. I am an admirer of De Laurentiis at Napoli, especially this season. The financial management has been spectacular and he is getting results. I think the whole Premier League is a bit lazy. We use the money because there’s a lot but in reality, there is no need to use as much.”