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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Marc Mayo

Nicolo Zaniolo jets out for surprise £18m deal as former Tottenham target nears Galatasaray transfer

Nicolo Zaniolo is on the verge of an £18million switch to Galatasaray to end one of January’s most controversial transfer sagas.

Tottenham were previously in for the Italian winger along with AC Milan and Bournemouth, who were reportedly in last-ditch talks to sign him from Roma.

Following negotiations over his future last summer, Zaniolo again hit the headlines last month by dropping out of the Giallorossi squad for a game with Spezia as he pushed for a move.

The offer of joining Bournemouth was most prominent yet he initially rejected the Premier League strugglers, only to reportedly change his mind when it was too late to seal a deal.

Italian media said he was considering suing Roma over the ordeal amid claims of death threats from angry fans of the Italian capital club.

Despite his future not being solved by the end of the European transfer window, the extended Turkish market offered a route out before Wednesday’s deadline.

Both Galatasaray and Fenerbahce were reportedly in for the 23-year-old and a long-term contract has been agreed with the Istanbul giants.

Zaniolo’s agent, George Gardi, has posted a picture of the pair flying out to complete the move.

It is also said that Gala have agreed a mere £31m release clause in Zaniolo’s contract ahead of a potential debut against Gazientep later this month.

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