Zaniolo gives damning reasons for leaving Mourinho's Roma

Nicolo Zaniolo

Zaniolo gives damning reasons for leaving Mourinho's Roma

Faruq Ibrahim 17:09 - 26.03.2023

Zaniolo explains why he forced his move out of Roma

In explaining his choice to force a transfer out of Mourinho's squad, Nicolo Zaniolo revealed that his treatment by the Roma hierarchy led to his decision.

The 23-year-old left Roma for Galatasaray during the Turkey transfer window, days after the close of the window in the top five leagues, after an acrimonious saga that saw him reportedly threaten legal action against the club.  

Zaniolo's exit from Roma 

Zaniolo had communicated to the Roma board his displeasure and disinterest in continuing to play for I Giallorossi, forcing a move out of the club. 

Zaniolo left Roma for Galatasaray
Zaniolo left Roma for Galatasaray

He was subject to several transfer links, with Leeds, Sevilla, Tottenham, and Milan, among others, making moves for him. 

However, an agreement between Roma and those clubs could not be reached. However, Bournemouth managed to come to terms with the capital club, but Zaniolo turned down the offer, which met strong displeasure among Roma faithful.

“Due to not accepting to go to England, I was criticised and the supporters turned against me. Some chased me by car, others came to my house,” Zaniolo explained.

“My family was also scared because we felt alone. At the time, I turned off my cell phone because I received threatening messages."

Zaniolo gives reasons for Roma exit

The Galatasaray midfielder explained that Roma stalled on offering him a new contract because they viewed him as a sellable asset.  

Zaniolo and Jose Mourinho
Zaniolo and Jose Mourinho

He revealed he had been making promises for two years that a contract for him was ready, saying he would have agreed to sign for little more than his wages at the time as he knew I Gillarossi's financial situation, but the offer, according to him, never came.  

“I could talk for hours about broken promises. I was told I was a star, but I was always considered just a capital gain. After so much talk, I got tired.”

If I have to reflect on my goodbye, I think others should too.

"For two years I was told that the new contract was ready. In January of last year, I would have signed for a little more than I had already earned, because I was fine in Rome and knew there were problems with Financial Fair Play."

Zaniolo has a €35 million release clause in his current Galatasaray contract, and his return to the European top five leagues could be imminent.

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