Roma beat Sunderland 2-0 in their first summer friendly with Felix Afena Gyan and Nicolò Zaniolo on target.
The Italy international was introduced in the second half as he had missed the last two days of training due to physical issues.
His absences from training have fuelled transfer speculations, with Roma open to listening to offers for the 22-year-old who has two years left in his contract with the Giallorossi.
Fair to say that Zaniolo changed the game today as, after a quiet first half, José Mourinho’s side looked more and more dangerous since the Italy international was introduced.
He first hit the post with a side-foot finish from the edge of the box and came close to scoring once more before youngster Afena Gyan, also introduced in the second half, broke the deadlock with a surgical finish from inside the box.
Zaniolo made it two with less than ten minutes remaining but didn’t celebrate after his goal.
Juventus remain interested in the 22-year-old but don’t want to match Roma’s €50m asking price and would rather offer Arthur or Denis Zakaria in a loan swap deal.
Hang on a minute yesterday report you lot said zaniola was omitted from roma against sunderland – now he’s playing and scored
@mohammed that is why you dont have to trust every zaniolo news my friend, most of them is just rumours, but yeah maybe you love rumours then enjoy it
@Mohammed and please dont be so naive hoping arthur or any juve useless player as part of the deal, no team in the world would want to trade like that.try to live in a real world and use just a bit common sense
Zaniolo didnt celebrate yes but afena also didnt celebrate, no big deal its just training friendly match. No need to exagerate. Yes Zaniolo will go to juve but calma FI calma
I wouldn’t call it a done deal yet. I believe Zaniolo fits Roma‘s style and will benefit staying with them. With that said, Roma need to pay him but who knows, we’ll soon find out. Forza Roma!
@Roma yes i agree Zaniolo will even play better with Roma this season, but mercato is still just begun, many things can happen. Lets hope for the best for all parties. If Zaniolo leaves, Roma will find good replacement i believe, and serie A teams will still keep the balance. We dont want serie A to become bundesliga right, dominated by one team only
I wouldn’t mind Zakaria part of the deal + 30-35mill (5mill to Inter).
Out- Villar,ELS,Kluivert,Veretout,Diawara(50 mill + wages)
In- Frattessi, Aouar,Dybala (42+ wages)
Keep – Perez , Gyan