Nicolo Zaniolo's mother claims that her son was tempted to take a pay cut at Tottenham Hotspur before joining Galatasaray from Roma.
“We had the chance to change (in the summer of 2022). We spoke to the club, who said he could leave for 50 or 60 million euros,” explains Francesco Costa, Zaniolo’s mum.
“He didn’t receive such offers, so he remained at the club and he was happy about it. However, he expected a contract extension”.
“It wasn’t about the money. Nicolo realised he was no longer part of the project. Roma told him they wanted to sell in June, so he felt he had been pushed aside”.
“It was said that he refused to play for Roma, that he is a traitor. People don’t know he played with injections because of a shoulder injury.”
According to Fabrizio Romano, the long-term Tottenham target was ‘keen’ on a January move to North London. Spurs, on the other hand, were only offering a loan deal.
“Nicolo would have lowered his wages or asked for the same money he earned at Roma (if he had joined) AC Milan or Tottenham. However, these clubs didn’t reach an agreement,” Zaniolo’s mum added, before playing down rumours that her son could have signed for a newly-ambitious AFC Bournemouth outfit.
“Then there was Bournemouth, who did not offer 5 million euros per season. That is not true.”
“It was almost an immediate choice (to join Galatasaray) because they made us feel trust. They wanted Nicolo, and it wasn’t difficult to find an agreement.” she said.
Galatasaray paid nearly £15 million upfront for Zaniolo and thhe deal could be worth £26 million with add-ons according to Fabrizio Romano.
