Remember Nicolo Zaniolo? The promising Italian international was in a center of attention back in December 2022, after he refused to extend contract with Roma. The executives, as well as coach Jose Mourinho were playing hardball with the player, promising not to play him for the rest of the season, and that also provoked the fans. Giallorossi faithful went over the top and a group of some 15 extreme fans followed Zaniolo in a car all the way to his doorstep, insulting him and even threatening him with death, and the player had to call the police. Everything settled when Zaniolo accepted Galatasaray’s offer in February this year (the Turkish League transfer windows doesn’t end on January 31st) and went to Instanbul.Nicolò Zaniolo: “Juventus is Juventus, with or without Champions League it doesn’t matter. I’ve always been Juve fan. Pogba was my idol. I’d love to play there”. ⚪️⚫️ #Juventus”I feel very good in Turkey. Galatasaray fans are really incredible”, he added to Gazzetta. pic.twitter.com/yQ0XoYlqRt— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 29, 2023 And even thou Jose Mourinho was among those to put the pressure on the player with his ‘if you are not happy in a family situation, you have to leave’ statement, Zaniolo still talks great of him. “Roma was an important period of my life, with some great moments and others not so much, but I will be eternally grateful to the fans. I hope Roma can win a great deal in future. I haven’t spoken to Jose Mourinho since then. I know he cares about me, as he always asks Sergio Olivera – my teammate at Galatasaray – how I’m doing. I will always be grateful to Mou. Last year, before the game with Empoli, I was depressed as I hadn’t scored in five or six games. He took me to one side and said relax, today you will score. And that’s what happened. Mourinho is incredible, he can see what’s going to happen before it does” said Zaniolo to La Gazzetta dello Sport. Mamma mia, what a mess in Rome: Player could sue the club for psychological pressure and mobbingThe reason why the young midfielder, who scored five goals in 10 games for Galatasary this half-season is back in the fold is the interest from Juventus. When Zaniolo left, it was in a hurry, and he chose the Turkish league, which didn’t suit his ambitions, but he had no choice. So, when he signed a four and half year deal with Galatasaray, he managed to insert a 35 million euros escape clause. Enter Juventus. His boyhood club is apparently willing to activate the clause and bring him back to Italy. Needles to say, the player is thrilled. “I am happy in Istanbul and will play the Champions League. However, if an offer comes in by the end of August that is a good opportunity for Galatasaray and for me, then we will take it into consideration. Obviously, Juve are Juve, even without the Champions League or other international tournaments.I have supported Juve since I was a kid, my idol was Pogba. Playing at Juve would make me very happy. We are talking about a big club. I repeat, if the opportunity makes all three happy – Galatasaray, me and Juve – then it is very welcome. Otherwise, I am happy in Turkey. I am not going to create expectations for myself, whatever happens will be fine“ said Zaniolo. ##NAJAVA_MECA_7342105##
