Who Is Nicolo Zaniolo? Four Interesting Facts About The Italian Who Has Been Watched By Liverpool

Reports in Italy over the weekend have suggested that Liverpool have been keeping an eye on Roma midfielder Nicolo Zaniolo this season.

The Reds do have a good record of snapping up players from the Giallorossi, having signed Mo Salah and Alisson in recent years, and with the Italian club needing money to pay off debts, Zaniolo could well be available.

Whether Liverpool would be interested in the player if Roma stick to their reported €80m (£71m) asking price, it is debatable, but if he were made available for a lower amount, the Merseyside club may reconsider.

So, what do we know about Zaniolo? Press the next page as we go through four facts about the 20-year-old.

He wasn’t rated at youth level

Zaniolo was initially picked up by Genoa before returning to his home city of Florence to play for Fiorentina. He spent six years in the Viola’s youth academy before being released in 2016.

It proved to be a big mistake as the teenager then went on to thrive at Serie B side Virtus Entella, as well as being capped by Italy at Under 18 level.

Zaniolo signed for Inter but never played a competitive game

The Italian’s promise led to the Nerazzurri signing him for an initial €1.8m back in July 2017 but, again, he failed to make the breakthrough into the first-team setup.

Zaniolo impressed at youth level, scoring goals in both the UEFA Youth League and the Primavera for the Under 19s, but he was never given his debut by manager Luciano Spalletti.

Roma snapped him up for a bargain price

Zaniolo found himself being involved in the deal that saw Radja Nainggolan move to Inter. As part of the transfer, the Italian midfielder and Davide Santon were both sold to the Giallorossi.

Roma paid just €4.5m for the attacking midfielder, although Inter do have a 15% sell-on clause inserted into the deal.

Zaniolo is currently out injured with a serious injury

The Italian had an excellent debut season at the Stadio Olimpico, making 36 appearances in all competitions, scoring six goals and providing three assists. He was also given his first senior cap for Italy in March last year.

However, things haven’t been as straightforward for Zaniolo this campaign. In January, he sustained an ACL injury which will keep him out until the start of next season.

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