Nicola Zalewski’s future has been among the major talking points in Italy over the past few weeks, with Roma casting him away after a long-running transfer saga. The Poland international rejected a late switch to Galatasaray despite the club’s effort to offload him earlier in September.
Zalewski’s turmoil started in the summer when he refused to extend his expiring contract at the Stadio Olimpico. With his deal running out in 2025, Roma tried to cash in on their homegrown starlet when Galatasaray made a concrete approach in early September.
However, Zalewski turned down a move to Istanbul, leading the club hierarchy to take drastic measures against him. Former Roma manager Daniele De Rossi punished the versatile wingback with an exile, excluding from the squad indefinitely.
De Rossi is now part of the club’s history. The new manager is in town following a four-game winless Serie A start. According to Sky Sport Italia, Ivan Juric’s arrival could hand Zalewski a lifeline at Roma. The Croatian coach is reportedly willing to reintegrate the Giallorossi outcast into the team.
Juric and Zalewski communicated on the phone on Thursday. It was a positive meeting and has seemingly reopened the door for the youngster’s first-team return. But it’s still uncertain whether Zalewski will be part of the matchday squad for Sunday’s clash against Udinese.
Roma will take on surprising Serie A leaders in the capital on Juric’s touchline debut, seeking redemption for last weekend’s frustrating 1-1 away draw against Genoa.
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