Sky Sport Italia claim Nicolò Zaniolo is beginning to reconsider his snub of Bournemouth, because otherwise he will be left in the stands by Roma for six months.
The Italy international’s rapport with the club has well and truly broken down beyond all repair, as confirmed by Jose Mourinho in today’s press conference.
“Unfortunately, it looks as if what I said is coming true and Zaniolo will remain at Roma. When a player tells you, the club and his teammates: ‘I don’t want to wear the Roma jersey, I don’t want to play, I don’t want to go back to training…’ I have to say unfortunately.”
Roma are furious that Zaniolo did not even give Bournemouth the courtesy of meeting their emissaries, including technical director Richard Hughes, who had flown out to Roma for negotiations after agreeing a deal with the club worth €30m plus bonuses and 10 per cent of the sell-on fee.
He sent his agent Claudio Vigorelli, who very quickly told the Premier League side that it was not an issue of money, he simply wasn’t interested in joining a team struggling to avoid relegation.
There were also reports Zaniolo had requested a release clause set at just €25m for the summer in case of relegation or if an offer comes in from an Italian club.
That may well still be on the cards, as Sky Sport Italia claim that Zaniolo is starting to realise it is either Bournemouth or six months in the stands at the Stadio Olimpico.
If Zaniolo does join the Cherries, it will only be to the end of the season and he is already planning his next move.
It remains to be seen if with that being the scenario, Bournemouth will withdraw their proposal.