Aston Villa submit loan-to-buy bid to sign Galatasaray star Nicolo Zaniolo
Aston Villa have made a loan with an option to buy offer for Galatasaray midfielder Nicolo Zaniolo, according to the Daily Mail.
The newspaper reported on page 73 of its print edition on 11 August that the Villans are looking to land a deal for the Italy international following the injury suffered by Emi Buendia.
Villa boss Unai Emery admitted on 10 August that the Argentine midfielder could be out for up to eight months with a knee ligament injury and that the club are interested in 24-year-old Zaniolo.
Smart move
The club will have been devastated by the news of Buendia’s shocking injury right before the start of the new Premier League campaign that will see him miss just about all of the season.
But they have moved quickly to identify new targets, with Emery not being coy about the fact they are in for Zaniolo, who he said is a versatile player that can “play as a striker, a number seven or a number 10” and is “one of those on our list”.
It was reported by Sky Sports Italy journalist Fabrizio Romano on 10 August that Villa director Monchi is heading up the negotiations with Galatasaray after he signed the Italian at Roma from Inter.
During his time with the Italian club, the 6’3″ midfielder was named the Serie A Young Player of the Year for the 2018-19 campaign and earned his first call-up to the national team in 2018.
But injuries then hampered his development and resulted in him leaving for the Super Liga side in February of this year, so it’s a smart move to bring him in on loan with an option to buy.
Since signing for the Turkish club, he has scored five goals in 12 matches and could be an excellent addition for Villa if he decides to make the move.
In other Aston Villa news, Jamie Carragher said Villa have made an “unbelievable signing” this summer.