Leeds United were one of several sides credited with an interest in Roma winger Nicolo Zaniolo on transfer deadline day and missing out on the Italian star could prove to be a repeat of the Whites’ Cody Gakpo disaster from the summer.
Jesse Marsch’s side reportedly submitted a loan-to-buy deal for the 23-year-old on deadline day but failed to get a deal done, which could prove a costly mistake by Victor Orta in the future.
Zaniolo was clearly itching for a move away from Jose Mourinho’s side in January after struggling for form under the Portuguese manager and seemed set for a move to Bournemouth until the Cherries pulled out on deadline day, but Leeds couldn’t capitalise.
The wide man was once regarded as one of the top young talents in Europe as a result of his promising performances with I Giallorossi, for whom he has made 128 appearances, contributing 24 goals and 18 assists in total.
However, this season has seen him struggle for consistent form, notching just one goal and no assists in 13 Serie A appearances, averaging a disappointing 6.21 rating from WhoScored.
The former Inter man is still highly regarded amongst those in the media and at Roma, with CBS Sports reporter Ben Jacobs hailing him as a “frightening talent,” while CEO and Roma fan Nick Mercadante also described him as “an absolute monster” too.
A change of scenery could have been exactly what Zaniolo needed to rediscover his best form and live up to his obvious potential but if Leeds are to complete a deal for him, they will have to wait until the summer.
After missing out on a high-profile winger signing, Leeds fans will be thinking back to last summer, when deadline day saw their side miss out on exciting PSV talent, Cody Gakpo.
The Netherlands international would go on to start the season in sensational form with the Eredivisie side, notching a remarkable nine goals and 12 assists in just 14 appearances in the Dutch top flight, which saw him earn a move to Liverpool in the January transfer window.
Leeds fans will be praying that Zaniolo doesn’t go on to produce the same sort of numbers elsewhere after Orta once again failed to get a deal over the line on deadline day.
