Lazio are reportedly plotting a move for unsettled Udinese forward Nicolo Zaniolo, who burst to the scene as a Roma player.
Nicolo Zaniolo: Career Path & Season Stats
The 26-year-old is a versatile attacker who developped his game at several Italian academies, including Genoa, Fiorentina, and Inter Milan, before joining Roma in 2018. The Massa native immediately established himself in a key role at the club, but his momentum was interrupted by back-to-back ACL injuries.
Moreover, Zaniolo’s off-pitch antics made him a controversial figure in the Italian capital. The Giallorossi eventually sold him to Galatasaray in January 2023. After forgettable loan spells at Aston Villa, Atalanta, and Fiorentina, the second striker put his career back on track at Udinese this season, contributing with six goals and seven assists.
Lazio Interested in Zaniolo
The Zebrette thus opted to buy the player from Galatasaray for €5 million, but according to La Gazzetta dello Sport journalist Fabiana Della Valle, his future in Udine remains uncertain. The Italian international was promised a salary raise from his current €1.2 million, but Udinese’s management have yet to fulfil it.
Therefore, Zaniolo may try to push his way out of the Friulian club this summer, with Lazio emerging as his top suitor. As the source explains, Napoli had also enquired about the 26-year-old, but the Biancocelesti are considered the most interested admirers, as Gennaro Gattuso is a fan of the player.
Why Zaniolo to Lazio Remains Complicated
The left-footed star is requesting a yearly salary of at least €2 million. However, Della Valle admits that the deal remains difficult, chiefly because Udinese would have to share the transfer fee with Galatasaray due to a 50% sell-on clause.
The Zebrette’s asking price is believed to be €18-20 million, while Lazio are operating on a net-zero balance this summer, which should further complicat matters for the capital club. It should also be added that Zaniolo had personal issues in the past with Lazio captain Mattia Zaccagni.
Don’t forget the beef between him and Zaccagni. Fkn lotito no loyalty
18m-20m? This won’t happen. Lazio needs to find a minimum of 40m for this to happen… Good luck with that.
Yes get him rub salt in the wounds and make him celebrate a derby goal, whoever commented Zaccagni, look at his stats last season, sell him, zaniolo new Pedro Pe
5m he is easy worth it, we can call him Figo
Forget Zaniolo and take Liberali from Catanzaro. He’s a pure talent and costs only 6-8M€.
This is absolutely bs. Why? 1-we will never pay him 2mil/year, we are trying to cut down on wages. 2-Zaniolo wasn’t just a merdista, I remember clearly how he was holding his d!ck towards Lazio fans when coming off in a Derby. 3-he is injury prone. 4-both Juve and Fabregas at Como want him and one of them is ready to I clude Adzic in a deal (whom Udinese like) .
Zaniolo’s mother is the only one that should come for a swap.