Long-term Tottenham target Nicolo Zaniolo finally set to leave Roma

Zaniolo is leaving Roma
Zaniolo is leaving Roma / Silvia Lore/GettyImages
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Nicolo Zaniolo is finally on the verge of leaving Roma as he is closing in on a permanent transfer to Galatasaray, 90min understands,

The versatile Italian has been determined to force an exit from the Stadio Olimpico in the last month and is set to get his wish with a move to the Turkish giants.

90min has extensively reported on Tottenham's interest in Zaniolo over the last 12 months. Spurs' bid to sign him were blocked by Roma boss Jose Mourinho in the summer of 2022, while they were unable to match the Giallorossi's asking price in January.

Tottenham were joined in the race to sign Zaniolo last month by Champions League opponents Milan, but they too could not agree terms with Roma.


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Surprisingly, Bournemouth did manage to meet Roma's demands, though Zaniolo initiially rebuffed the Cherries.

After changing his mind and deciding he would like to move to the Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth informed Zaniolo they had rescinded their offer to him in order to bring in Sassuolo's Hamed Traore instead.

With the Turkish transfer window remaining open for slightly longer than the rest of Europe, the chance to join a Super Lig side emerged as an option for Zaniolo, and he will travel to Istanbul on Tuesday to finalise a €22m move on a four-year contract.

Zaniolo, once touted as one of Italy's finest prospects, has failed to impress this season. Though he notably scored the winner for Roma in last year's Europa Conference League final, his development has stagnated following consecutive ACL injuries.