West Ham United and Arsenal inquire about Nicolo Zaniolo transfer amid Italy return
West Ham and Arsenal have both inquired about Nicolo Zaniolo amid a return to the international scene for the Italian attacker, Corriere dello Sport reports.
The Galatasaray midfielder was a Hammers target in the January transfer window when he was making a messy exit from Roma.
But after making a first appearance for Roberto Mancini’s Italy side in seven months in the Nations League semi-final defeat to Spain on Thursday night (15 June) his “rehabilitation” in Turkey has been tipped to potentially lead to him re-entering the transfer market as a “strong name” this summer.
Atletico Madrid have reportedly also made contact, and his return to the national side is mooted as an opportunity to gain attention ahead of a potential second move in six months.
Return?
With Manuel Lanzini leaving and the futures of Maxwel Cornet, Pablo Fornals and Said Benrahma uncertain, David Moyes is expected to be adding to his attacking options.
Relegated Leicester star Harvey Barnes has emerged as the primary target early in the window, but if Zaniolo is looking to move on again already he might be in the manager’s thinking still.
Moyes will have to be sure that he is the right profile of player to fit his style, having been burned this season by a clash between his naturally pragmatic game plans and attempts to become more expansive after an expensive summer transfer haul 12 months ago.
He is sure to have a lot of money to spend once Declan Rice’s West Ham exit is confirmed, but will need to make a big move to fill that gap in central midfield.
And with Gianluca Scamacca also likely heading back to Italy there is a need up front, so what he will have available to spend on attacking midfielders is open to question.
Zaniolo has scored five Super Lig goals in 10 Galatasaray appearances, but was frequently a substitute so could potentially be available already if the right offer came in.