Nicolo Zaniolo's future at Udinese is uncertain due to a salary dispute, with the player's agent revealing that Zaniolo accepted a lower salary to join Udinese last summer. The 26-year-old's current annual salary is €1.2m, significantly lower than his previous €3m salary at Galatasaray.
Background
Udinese recently signed Zaniolo on a permanent basis from Galatasaray, paying a fee of €5m and agreeing to a 50% sell-on clause. However, the player's agent claims that Udinese had agreed to discuss a new set of personal terms before making the transfer permanent, which has not happened.
Lazio's Interest
Gennaro Gattuso, Lazio's manager, is a big fan of Zaniolo and is interested in bringing him to the club this summer. This is not the first time Lazio have expressed interest in Zaniolo, but the player's history with club rivals Roma had previously deterred him from making a move.
Transfer Implications
The transfer would not be easy to pull off, as Udinese do not wish to sell Zaniolo. It would take at least €18m-€20m to convince Udinese to sell this summer. Other Serie A sides, such as Como and Juventus, are also interested in Zaniolo.
Lazio's interest in Zaniolo is a bold move, and Gattuso's admiration for the player could be the key to convincing him to join. However, Udinese's reluctance to sell and the high transfer fee required make this a challenging deal to complete. Zaniolo's salary dispute with Udinese is a significant factor in this potential transfer, and it will be interesting to see how it plays out.
If Zaniolo were to join Lazio, it would be a significant signing for the club and a major coup for Gattuso. It could also have implications for the Serie A table, as Lazio would be gaining a talented player. However, Udinese's loss of Zaniolo would be a significant blow, and they would need to find a suitable replacement.
Frequently Asked Questions
€1.2m per year
€5m
€18m-€20m