Zaniolo: Fiorentina make contact with Galatasaray for struggling Aston Villa loanee

Fiorentina have reportedly been in contact with Galatasaray to enquire about the services of Italy international Nicolo Zaniolo, who has endured an uninspiring season on loan in the Premier League with Aston Villa in 2023-24.

The former Roma attacker joined Villa on loan with an option to buy towards the end of the summer transfer window in 2023. It was reported that the Midlands club paid a fee of €5m plus around €1.3m in bonuses for the loan, with an option to buy outright for €22.5m plus up to €15.5m in add-ons.

However, after just two goals in 24 league appearances, only nine of which came as a starter, Villa are set to send Zaniolo back to Galatasaray at the end of the 2023-24 campaign.

Recent reports suggest that Zaniolo would ideally like to return to Italy for the 2024-25 campaign, preferably for a ‘top’ club who could help him return to Champions League action.

Fiorentina interest in Zaniolo

According to reports from Calciomercato.com on Sunday morning, Fiorentina have a ‘concrete’ interest in bringing Zaniolo on board for the 2024-25 Serie A season.

La Viola have reportedly made initial contact with Galatasaray, although there have not yet been any formal negotiations at this stage.

Like with Aston Villa, Fiorentina are interested in exploring a potential loan deal with an option to buy. The player is currently under contract in Turkey until the summer of 2027.

Zaniolo’s current salary shouldn’t be a major issue for Fiorentina either. He reportedly earns an annual sum of €2.75m with Galatasaray, which falls within the parameters of Fiorentina’s current wage structure, albeit at the higher end.

The club’s highest earners at present include Nikola Milenkovic and Nico Gonzalez, who are believed to earn somewhere around the €3m per season.