Leeds ‘contact agents’ of Zaniolo as Marsch eyes fourth deal

Leeds United have reportedly made contact with the agents of Roma star Nicolo Zaniolo as Jesse Marsch lines up his fourth signing of the transfer window. The Yorkshire club have already signed Max Wober, Georginio Rutter and Weston McKennie this month with the club aiming to climb the Premier League table. 

Zaniolo has been linked with a move away from Roma for most of the transfer window with a host of clubs believed to be interested in his services. Arsenal and Tottenham were among the first to be credited with an interest with AC Milan another to be heavily rumoured. 

Yet, it was Bournemouth that surprisingly agreed a deal for the player after bidding £26.4million. However, Zaniolo was not interested, reportedly refusing to even speak to the Cherries delegation annoying his current club in the process. 

The 23-year-old has now been banished from the first-team squad and may not play for the club again this season even if he does not get a move. Yet he could now be set to have a route out with Italian publication CalcioMercato reporting that Leeds have made contact with his agents. 

“He (Zaniolo) told me, the club and his teammates that he doesn’t want to play for Roma. He said he doesn’t want to return to play with the team, that he doesn’t he wants to train with the team. That’s why I say unfortunately .

“After the match against Spezia I said that I thought he would stay and now I say unfortunately it seems that’s what will really happen.”

It remains to be seen if Zaniolo will get the departure from Roma he craves despite the reported interest from Leeds. Time is rapidly running out for the midfielder ahead of the transfer window closing at 11pm on Tuesday.