Nicolo Zaniolo has made it clear where he wants his next destination to be, as the Italian’s time at Aston Villa looks to be over.
After the highs of the 2023/24 season, Unai Emery and Monchi will have a job to do this summer to bolster the squad in the transfer window.
From departures to arrivals, Villa Park is poised to be a busy place during the domestic interval, with several players’ futures still to be decided.
It now looks as though Aston Villa loanee Nicolo Zaniolo will end his relationship with the Midlands club, with his next destination now hinted at.
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Where Nicolo Zaniolo could play next season after Aston Villa loan
In the summer of 2023, Emery welcomed Zaniolo on a season-long loan from Galatasaray after learning of Emi Buendia’s campaign-ending injury.
The Italian arrived having impressed in Turkey however, was unable to really make a mark at Villa Park.
From injury struggles to increased competition in the squad, Zaniolo’s future looks to be far from the Premier League, with an update now provided on his next destination.
As reported by journalist Rudy Galetti, the Italy international has a preference to join AC Milan next season as he wishes to return to his homeland.
It’s added that his parent club are ‘open’ to letting the forward leave if an offer around the €20m mark is received.
The news may not come as a shock for those at Villa, as Zaniolo relayed last month of his desire to play in Serie A again.
READ MORE: Aston Villa loanee Nicolo Zaniolo drops interesting new update on his immediate future
Things could have been a lot better for the 24-year-old in Birmingham, with it now looking impossible that he will play in claret and blue again.
Villa are smart to not take a gamble on Zaniolo
Zaniolo has shown just how high a level he can operate at however, such levels were not seen during his time at Villa.
At the point of his arrival, it was noted that the Midlands club had a ‘conditional compulsory purchase option’ in the deal, which could have seen them pay up to around £32m to sign him, as per Galatasaray’s official social media.
During the 2023/24 season, the Italian contributed to two goals in 25 appearances for Emery’s side, via Sofascore, with his role in the squad never realised amid competition.
Perhaps in other years, Villa would have opted to keep the forward at the club due to the experience gained over the season although, it’s now clear that there are better options available.
It will be interesting to see where Zaniolo’s future takes him, with a return to Italy looking most likely for the 24-year-old.
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