Roma attacking midfielder Nicolo Zaniolo was ‘never close’ to joining Leeds United
AS Roma attacking midfielder Nicolo Zaniolo was “never close” to joining Leeds United, according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.
The 23-year-old Italy international was heavily linked with a move to Leeds, while Everton and Bournemouth also showed interest in signing him.
Bournemouth even had a deal in place to sign the player last week but the Roma midfielder rejected the move.
The Independent reported on 31 January that the Whites are in talks with Roma to sign Zaniolo, as they tried to engineer a late deadline-day move.
Get Italian Football News further reported on deadline day Zaniolo is lined up as a replacement for Jack Harrison, who was linked with a move to Leicester City.
However, the Guardian journalist wrote on 2 February for Caughtoffside that the midfielder was not close to joining Leeds or Everton.
Great business
Leeds should be very happy with the business they’ve done in the January window.
Like what they did in the summer, they quickly moved for their targets and added to their ranks.
The club needed to add a left-back and a striker, and they have fulfilled their targets.
The Whites signed Max Wober from Red Bull Salzburg, and added Georgina Rutter from Hoffenheim, with the latter joining on a club-record deal.
Leeds felt the need to sign a new midfielder in January after fan favourite Mateusz Klich left the club to join MLS side DC United.
The Whites were linked with Moroccan midfielder Azzedine Ounahi, Zaniolo and Weston McKennie. In the end, they signed the Juventus midfielder on loan for the rest of the season.
Leicester City made a very late move to sign Harrison from Leeds, but the deal didn’t materialize in the end.
Jesse Marsch got what he wanted. Now, it’s time for him to deliver on the pitch.
In other Leeds United news, visit our live transfer blog for around-the-clock updates straight from Elland Road.