Zaniolo prefers Milan over Bournemouth

Nicolo Zaniolo has decided to leave AS Roma, head coach Jose Mourinho openly confirmed a few days ago, though the Portuguese tactician also said there were no suitable offers for the attacking midfielder’s services at the time. Now, however, Fabrizio Romano reports that Bournemouth are in talks with Roma over a proposed €30 million deal, while the player himself prefers AC Milan as his destination.

The seven-time European champions are interested, but for the time being they’ve only offered a loan deal with a buy clause included, having already agreed personal terms with Zaniolo’s camp.

The 23-year-old is usually deployed centrally, behind a striker, but he has been known to perform well in a wide attacking role too. At youth levels, he played for Genoa, Fiorentina and Entella, before joining Inter Milan’s Under-19 ranks and breaking into the senior squad with the Nerazzurri. Roma paid around €4.5m to sign him in 2018, and since then, he’s made a total of 128 appearances in all competitions for the club, scoring 24 goals and providing 18 assists.