While reports have linked Arsenal and Newcastle United with a move for Nicolo Zaniolo, the AS Roma forward allegedly has no interest in leaving the club.
Zaniolo, 23-year-old, has been an important component of the Giallorossi after joining in the summer of 2018 for a cost of £4 million from Inter Milan. For his outstanding play in a pivotal position during his first season, he became Serie A’s Best Young Player.
Ending the year in style! #COYG @Arsenal 📞🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/089Jqni7Ma
— Eddie Nketiah 📞 (@EddieNketiah9) December 31, 2022
The ambitions of Arsenal and Newcastle United to acquire Zaniolo suffered after the player reportedly stated a wish to remain with Roma in the foreseeable future, as reported by Calciomercato. The Massa-born central midfielder was said to be making a permanent transfer last year for a reported £22 million.
Will Nicolo Zaniolo move to Arsenal or Newcastle United?
Expectedly, both Arsenal and Newcastle United would use the next winter transfer window to add depth to their respective squads. Both teams are vying for a spot in the Premier League’s playoffs at the moment. Juventus and AC Milan are also displaying interest in signing him.
Zaniolo is versatile star who has a contract with Stadio Olimpico until June 2024. His primary position is that of an attacking midfielder, although he is also versatile enough to play on the right flank or as a trequartista.
To date, Zaniolo has made 125 appearances for Jose Mourinho’s team in all competitions, scoring 24 goals and assisting on 18 others. Among the Premier League managers in 2022, Eddie Howe has Newcastle United’s supporter Jamie Carragher’s nod rather than Mikel Arteta and Arsenal.
Liverpool great Jamie Carragher chose Newcastle United’s Eddie Howe above Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta as the best Premier League manager for 2022 in his column for The Telegraph.
He penned: “Eddie Howe will be the manager of the Premier League in 2022. Newcastle’s first step into its new era is more of a coaching triumph than a financial revolution. I don’t think anyone else could have done a better job than Howe at St. James’ Park over the past year.”
He kept going: “Had the club’s Saudi Arabia owners’ somehow lured Pep Guardiola or Jurgen Klopp to the north east upon completing their takeover, the team would not be in a stronger position. Much has been made of the money available and where it will eventually take the club. It is unfair to judge Howe’s early work through that lens.”
