Galatasaray forward Nicolo Zaniolo has set his heart on returning to Serie A amid speculation linking him with a move to Villarreal. According to Italian transfer punding Alfredo Pedulla, the ex-Roma man is ‘stalling’ the Spaniards as he angles for a homecoming switch.
Zaniolo has drawn Villarreal’s interest, but he isn’t enthusiastic about moving to La Liga. Instead, he hopes to ply his trade in Serie A again after swapping Roma for Istanbul in February 2023. However, Italian clubs aren’t exactly queueing up to bring him back.
The former Serie A star spent last season on loan at Aston Villa. But he can’t forget his disappointing Premier League stint soon enough. After making just nine league starts in 2023/24, Unai Emery’s men refused to take up a buyout clause in his deal.
Back at Galatasaray, Zaniolo will immediately embark on a recovery process after picking up a metatarsal injury that will keep him out of the upcoming Euro 2024. His desire to return to Serie A has momentarily taken a back seat.
Fiorentina tried to lure him back to Serie A in January. But that hypothesis has faded after Raffaele Palladino replaced Vincenzo Italiano in the dugout. Juventus are Zaniolo’s long-term admirers and could rekindle their interest if Federico Chiesa hits the road.
The latest Serie A side to lay eyes on the 24-year-old is Atalanta. Before making an approach for the Galatasaray winger, La Dea will have to sort out Charles De Ketelaere’s future with Milan.
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