Arsenal and Tottenham have been warned Roma star Nicolo Zaniolo will ‘create problems everywhere’ unless he changes his attitude.
The attacking midfielder has been strongly linked with January moves to both north sides with Arsenal holding talks over a potential deal earlier this month.
Tottenham are also keen on his services with Gazzetta dello Sport reporting they are still in the race to sign the player despite wrapping up a deal for Arnaut Danjuma this week. is thought to be a big admirer of the 23-year-old.
Bournemouth have also emerged as a shock option for the Italy international, offering €30million plus adds-ons to bring him to the Premier League while Milan are also in talks.
Zaniolo was booed by Roma fans at the Stadio Olimpico in a Coppa Italia clash against Genoa last week. Jose Mourinho subsequently left him out of the squad for the weekend victory over Spezia, later confirming he has asked to leave the club this month.
Serie A legend Zbigniew Boniek, now Uefa vice-president, has now taken aim at the player and ‘the people around him’.
‘Zaniolo is young and has great potential, but the problems are people around him, those who tell him what to do and make wrong decisions,’ the former Poland striker told Il Corriere dello Sport.
‘This, to me, is the biggest problem and it I am sad for him. Nicolò has great qualities and he has proved it after the double knee injury.
‘But, while you can heal from a muscle, knee or foot injury when the problem is in the head, then it all gets more complicated.’
With Zaniolo’s club looking bleak, Boniek has urged Roma to cut ties unless there is a major change in his attitude.
‘If he has decided not to play for Roma, then it’s better if he’s not involved.
‘The problem remains the same, if he doesn’t change his attitude, then he will cause problems in any club,’ he said.
‘What matters the most is that the situation won’t affect Roma who are doing well in 2023.’
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