Aston Villa hierarchy to decide on Nicolo Zaniolo transfer as permanent clause speculation detailed
Ty Bracey believes Nicolo Zaniolo could yet return to Aston Villa after his loan spell with Unai Emery waiting to make a permanent signing decision.
The Italian picked up an injury against Liverpool at Villa Park (13 May) which saw him substituted just 13 minutes after coming on.
This was a sad end to his time at the club as his loan spell from Galatasaray ended after the full-time whistle against Crystal Palace.
Villa podcaster Bracey, who has featured on Claret & Blue, has suggested there might be an option to buy in his contract but doesn’t see him making a return.
Speaking exclusively to Villa News, Bracey said: “He had a slow start but he did score a couple of important goals and he did offer a bit of depth there. He’s obviously ruled out of the Euros which is gutting for him.
“I’ve seen lots of discussion about an option to buy being mandatory if he played a set amount of games.
“He is another player who we aren’t going to see week in, week out but he came on and caused a bit of chaos when he came on. I’m sure he is frustrated with the loan spell, it took him a while to find his feet.
“It’s about how the hierarchy looks upon his loan spell and decides whether he’s someone who they want at the club going forward.
“I don’t think we’ll see Zaniolo again unless that option to buy is mandatory, whether there is any truth in that.“
Should Aston Villa sign Nicolo Zaniolo permanently?
It must be said that after scoring just two goals in 25 appearances [FotMob] for the Villans, on paper, he didn’t have a good time in B6.
Zaniolo has frustrated fans at times with his lack of sharpness which has often seen him make silly decisions and pick up seven yellow cards in 830 minutes.
Despite coming in as an option to play as a second striker or attacking wide midfielder, he proved to be an asset in a different role.
Against Arsenal, at the Emirates, he was simply superb in a defensive sense which ultimately helped Villa to secure a 2-0 win.
With six duels won, one tackle, and a 70 per cent pass accuracy [FotMob] he helped keep Ben White and Bukayo Saka quiet throughout.
This type of performance could see him be put forward as a squad option as a midfielder for Emery.
Obviously, the move would hinge on his wages and the fee involved. Zaniolo would be a risky signing given his poor spells of form but given time to settle in he could be a shrewd purchase.
In other Aston Villa news, Unai Emery nepotism suggestion addressed as a relative makes the squad v Crystal Palace.
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