Three years ago, Nicolò Zaniolo was considered AS Roma`s most valuable asset. Such was his importance that José Mourinho personally intervened to keep him in the Giallorossi squad, fending off persistent interest from Juventus, a move supported by their management and coach. However, a disagreement later developed between Zaniolo and the club, leading him to request a transfer as early as the January window. Galatasaray ultimately secured his move swiftly, preempting any other interested parties. At the time, there seemed to be few other solid options or clubs prepared to invest fifteen million euros for the attacking midfielder.
Since then, he has become quite the journeyman. While his time in Turkey wasn`t particularly poor, yielding five goals in ten Süper Lig appearances, he then opted for a change of environment, seeking a chance in the Premier League. Despite Aston Villa qualifying for the Champions League, his costly €5 million loan spell was not made permanent. Following a series of injuries and inconsistent form, he joined Atalanta a year ago, a move primarily pushed by manager Gian Piero Gasperini. His tenure in Bergamo wasn`t successful, although he did manage to score some significant goals. Similarly, his subsequent six-month stint with Fiorentina last season also proved underwhelming.
So, what comes next? He desperately needs a suitable setting to revive his career, though identifying the ideal destination remains challenging. Torino has reportedly shown interest and is currently assessing whether attempting to relaunch his career, much like they have done with other players in the past, would be a viable option. Nicolò Zaniolo is at a crucial juncture where finding the right club is paramount for his future development.
