A report on Calciomercato.com cites the words of Zaniolo’s agent Claudio Vigorelli to Relevo: “He was on Barcelona’s list, I confirm it, they liked him, but for economic reasons it was not a feasible operation.
“In January there were other opportunities – as you know, Milan and Bournemouth – in Italy and in the Premier League. They were looking for him, but Galatasaray’s call was immediately welcomed with great enthusiasm,” he said.
Galatasaray signed him for €16.5m plus €13m in bonuses linked to team sporting performances and personal targets, plus a percentage on the future resale for Roma which varies according to the price at which Zaniolo will eventually be sold.
The Italian forward signed a contract until June 2027 worth €3.5m net per season plus bonuses, and he feels settled in Turkey even if he only just became a starter, scoring three goals in his first seven games there.
Galatasaray lead the Super Lig with 70 points, three more than Fenerbahçe and five more than Besiktas who beat them 3-1 this weekend. In Turkey, winning the league is needed to guarantee Champions League qualification, and without it Zaniolo could leave.
Before leaving for Turkey, Paolo Maldini exchanged a few messages with Zaniolo, thanking him for waiting for Milan byrejecting Bournemouth.
Milan will carefully evaluate whether to pay the €35m release clause in his contract with Galatasaray, while a lot will depend on the Rossoneri’s qualification (or lack of) for the next Champions League.
