Man Utd watch two-goal Italy star, as they look to replace Matic

Nicolo Zaniolo TEAMtalk

Roma midfielder Nicolo Zaniolo was watched by Manchester United in Italy’s 9-1 win over Armenia on Monday night, according to a report in Italy.

Zaniolo scored twice for the Azzurri against the minnows at the Stadio Renzo Barbera, and United scouts were present, report Il Messaggero newspaper.

Zaniolo, 20, became Roma’s youngest ever goalscorer for the national side, overtaking Daniele De Rossi.

The Rome club are in discussions with United over a permanent move for Chris Smalling, and Zaniolo’s price tag may well be discussed too.

United have already added a youthful element to their squad with the arrivals of Dan James and Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Zaniolo would also fit their brief.

 

 

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is looking to strengthen his central midfield with Nemanja Matic out of favour, but Zaniolo’s price will be at a premium with the player’s previous club Inter Milan due 15% for any profit Roma make on the player.

Tottenham held significant interest in Zaniolo, who broke through into the Serie A side’s first team last season, in the summer.

“He renewed with Roma and is fine at Roma but obviously we enjoyed the great interest of Tottenham, who were the runners up in the Champions League,” his agent Claudio Vigorelli said, as cited by the Daily Mail.

“Their concrete interest in him shows how good the boy’s season was.”