Football agent Dario Canovi has lashed out at departing AS Roma forward Nicolo Zaniolo as he joins Turkish Super Lig side Galatasaray, arguing that the Italy international did not have it in him to reach his potential due to arrogance.
Zaniolo has been frozen out at the Stadio Olimpico after demanding a transfer last month, and Premier League club Bournemouth reached a deal with Roma over a move, only for the player to reject the switch.
Meanwhile, fellow Premier League outfit Leeds United were also reported to have been keen, whilst AC Milan had sought to take Zaniolo on loan.
Canovi unimpressed with Zaniolo’s attitude
In an interview with Tuttomercatoweb, Canovi hit out at Zaniolo and felt that the forward had shown a level of arrogance in expecting clubs to flock for him after demanding a transfer, whilst also rejecting an opportunity for a fresh start at Bournemouth.
“I think he was arrogant and conceited. He believed he was already a champion, he is not and perhaps he will never become one,” the former agent, who represented Roma legends Bruno Conti and Paulo Roberto Falcao, as well Lazio icon Alessandro Nesta, declared.
“I have had the good fortune to manage champions not only in football but also a few Olympic medallists. The quality of champions is to be modest, he was sure that by putting himself on the market he would leave.
“I think his agent advised him to go to England, he would have the chance to prove he was a big player in a team. If you score five goals at Bournemouth the next year you make the step up. Now we’ll see what happens.”
Galatasaray keep move lowkey following earthquake
Zaniolo has struggled for form this season and only scored one goal in 13 Serie A appearances for Roma.
The 23-year-old travelled to Istanbul, with La Gazzetta dello Sport reporting that he would sign a four-and-a-half year contract with Galatasaray, with the Cimbom able to swoop for him due to the Turkish transfer window open until February 8.
Roma are set to receive €20 million for their banished forward, with Zaniolo undergoing a medical on Wednesday before penning a deal that will include a €35m release clause.
Zaniolo will not be officially unveiled to Galatasaray fans in a club presentation as a mark of respect, as Turkey continues to reel from the devastating earthquakes that have struck the country this week.
