Nicolò Zaniolo’s agent Claudio Vigorelli says he is ‘ready’ to negotiate a contract extension with Roma but refuses to respond to Francesco Totti, who said the Giallorossi star doesn’t have the right mentality.
Zaniolo’s contract at the Stadio Olimpic runs out in June 2024 and talks over a new deal have not begun yet.
“There are no clouds on the horizon, we have an excellent rapport with Roma and Tiago Pinto and we’ve agreed that we’ll discuss a contract extension in the future when the club think it’s best,” Vigorelli told Gazzetta.
“Now, the most important thing is to focus on work and performance on the pitch.
“The club know that we are ready to sit down and negotiate. I repeat that the rapport with Pinto is excellent and Zaniolo is happy in Rome and with fans.”
How much money is Zaniolo worth and how much would he demand in terms of salary?
“You know I can’t talk about figures but they are not difficult to guess,” said Vigorelli.
“Roma valued Nicolò highly last summer and we will negotiate a new salary based on the club’s evaluation. Nothing more, nothing less.”
According to the report, Roma valued the 23-year-old at €50-60m in July, so Vigorelli will ask for circa €4m per season. Several clubs are keeping an eye on the Italy international, including Milan, Napoli and Tottenham.
“Nobody is surprised that a player like Zaniolo, who is 23 and has a contract expiring in 2024, is being monitored by many important clubs,” claimed Zaniolo’s agent, who was also asked his thoughts on Totti’s recent claims.
The Giallorossi legend has said that Zaniolo doesn’t have the right mentality to become a key player for Roma, but Vigorelli doesn’t seem bothered.
“I won’t say anything. I’ll repeat what coaches like José Mourinho and Roberto Mancini said,” said Vigorelli.
Mourinho defended Zaniolo last year, saying that it was not true that he trained badly, while Italy coach Mancini called him ‘one of the greatest talents of Italian football’ who ‘can have a future like Totti.’