Nicolo Zaniolo unlikely to sign full-time Aston Villa deal after development at Villa Park
Aston Villa loanee Nicolo Zaniolo’s hopes of a permanent switch to Villa Park could have been ended by a new injury blow, according to Alan Hutton.
The Italian midfielder has enjoyed a mixed season on loan with the Villans but has blown supporters and pundits alike away with his recent displays, especially in Unai Emery’s side’s impressive 2-0 win over Arsenal at the Emirates.
But the Galatasary loanee is now stuck on the treatment table having been substituted in the first half of Villa’s Europa Conference League quarter-final win over Lille and Emery has admitted he doesn’t know when he will be fit to feature again.
While Hutton believes Emery and his recruitment team will have already made a decision over the 24-year-old’s long-term future, he does admit that the Italian’s recent performances have shown he has something to offer Villa.
“I think he’s come in recently and done really well,” Hutton told Villa News.
“He’s shown another side to his game, he works incredibly hard. Again, he’s a great size, technically gifted, he’s got the capability to score goals and assist, but he’s another player who needs to be playing regularly week in and week out.
“I don’t think you get the best out of him as an impact player coming off of the bench. He needs to have a run of games. It really depends on the injury, if he is to have a layoff now and miss some big games moving forward, it might lean towards the idea that he doesn’t sign permanently.
“But, I do believe he has got something. You’ve got the likes of Emi Buendia coming back from next season, there are different options so will that kind of impact on him signing?
“It’s an interesting one, I think he’s definitely got something but only the manager will know at this stage.”
Will Aston Villa loanee Nicolo Zaniolo be fit to complete a permanent summer transfer away from Galatasary?
As Hutton suggests, Emery is blessed with several strong attacking options in his Villa squad currently and while the likes of Jacob Ramsey and Buendia are sidelined, they will be back fit and ready ahead of next season.
If both players hit the ground running following their injuries, Villa may not need Zaniolo on a permanent basis and therefore may decide to not make the Iatlian’s stay permanent. After all, he has been fairly inconsistent so far this season.
However, should the 24-year-old return to full fitness before the end of the season he could tempt the Villans into pushing for a move. So much of his future could depend on how long he is stuck on the treatment table.
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