Nicolo Zaniolo is reportedly set to complete his move to Aston Villa imminently as he was tipped to sign his contract on Thursday night.
The 24-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to join us in recent days, with Fabrizio Romano reporting that the deal will be an initial season-long loan move with an option to buy, and that the entire package could cost around €27m if we activate that clause and add-ons are triggered.
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Zaniolo was said to be in Birmingham on Wednesday to undergo a medical and carry out the formalities of the switch, but there has been a wait for it to become official which in turn had cast some doubt over whether or not it was going ahead.
Nevertheless, as per Romano in his latest update, the Italian international was said to be on his way to sign his contract on Thursday night to become a Villa player, with the deal due to be completed after his medical was finalised.
With that in mind, the expectation is that Villa will hopefully officially announce the deal on Friday, although Zaniolo has been sidelined by a groin injury in recent weeks and so it’s unlikely that he will be available to face Everton on Sunday even if he was registered in time.
It’s a key addition for Villa though as while our interest in him was reported prior to Emiliano Buendia’s injury setback, his absence will be a major blow this season and so we needed to add creativity and quality in the final third to make up for it.
Zaniolo brings strength, speed, directness, tenacity and an ability to be decisive in front of goal, while he also has the attributes to be a good fit for the system and style of play that Emery has implemented with his technical quality.
In turn, should it now be announced as expected, it’s an exciting signing with plenty of upside if Zaniolo can stay healthy, and while there will be some concern over that aspect given his injury history, he has looked good over the past two seasons and made a big impression in a short space of time at Galatasaray.
There is also the influence of Emery to consider, as the Spanish tactician has shown an ability to improve and develop his players at Villa already, and so it will be fascinating to see what he can get out of Zaniolo, provided that there aren’t any late issues and he signs.
He was tipped to sign on Wednesday he was tipped to sign on Thursday now it’s Friday he’s tipped to sign again, also Acuna was tipped to sign on Wednesday and again on Thursday but that’s all gone quiet.
We need some factual info on theses players instead of speculation