Jonty Banks

Wed 1 February 2023 14:10, UK

Nicolo Zaniolo now faces Roma exile after Leeds United turned down the chance to sign the attacker on a loan deal in the dying hours of transfer deadline day, according to Corrieredellosport.

The Whites were eyeing up Zaniolo as a potential replacement for Jack Harrison [Get Italian Football News, 31 January], who was the subject of a £20million bid from Leicester City, but the winger ended up staying at Elland Road.

Corrieredellosport (Wednesday 1 February) revealed that Roma director Tiago Pinto offered the 23-year-old’s services to Leeds on a “loan deal with an obligation to buy”, but the West Yorkshire outfit turned down the request.

The winger now faces “real hell” at the Italian club under Jose Mourinho and has already been subject to “very serious threats from the fanbase.”

Finances

The only way that Leeds were going to sign Zaniolo was if Harrison left the club for Leicester City on deadline day.

After the Leeds player revealed his intentions to stay at Elland Road, Jesse Marsch was never going to sign another attacker on top of the abundance of riches he currently possesses.

With Georginio Rutter snapped up this January, and the likes of Willy Gnonto, Crysencio Summerville and Harrison playing in similar positions to Zaniolo, he would probably be resigned to the bench most weeks unless he made a significant impact straight away.

Another issue with the loan-to-buy deal would be the finances regarding the deal and the fact that Leeds’ salary cap is likely to be full after the signings of Rutter, Max Wober and Weston McKennie in January.

After coughing up significant fees for this trio, Marsch probably had mere pennies left in his piggy bank, so a move for Zaniolo was always a far-fetched idea.

As it is, Leeds have had a stunning transfer window and resolved the major flaws within their squad.

In other Leeds United news, a Sky Sports journalist has shared whether Weston McKennie can make his debut against Nottingham Forest.