Multiple reports in Italy claim Milan retired from the race for Roma‘s Nicolò Zaniolo because club owners won’t grant extra transfer budget to sign the Italy international.
The Rossoneri are long-time admirers of Zaniolo who has asked to leave the Stadio Olimpico in January, with 18 months left in his contract.
However, the defending Serie A champions could only afford a transfer package worth €23-25m consisting of a loan deal with an obligation to buy tied to their Champions League qualification.
It’s far below Roma’s demands of €40m which have been neared by Bournemouth who put on the table €30m plus add-ons. Zaniolo prefers a move to the Stadio Meazza which, however, won’t materialise.
Several reports in Italy, including Gazzetta, Corriere dello Sport and Il Corriere della Sera claim Paolo Maldini was not allowed to get extra transfer budget to match the offer from the Premier League.
The Rossoneri have €40-50m available for the 2023 summer transfer window. It’s just as much as last summer when they signed Charles De Ketelaere from Club Brugge for €32m plus add-ons.
Milan are unlikely to make new purchases in the winter transfer window as also Hakim Ziyech and Allan Saint-Maximin would cost around €20-30m.