Zaniolo 'on his way to sign Aston Villa contract' to seal loan move
Nicolo Zaniolo ‘is on the cusp of joining Aston Villa on loan’ – with a deal set to be ‘agreed after medical tests’ – as Unai Emery looks to bolster his squad after their woeful 5-1 defeat against Newcastle
- Italian forward Nicolo Zaniolo completed a medical at Villa Park on Thursday
- Zaniolo is set to join Unai Emery’s side on an initial loan from Galatasaray
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Aston Villa are on the verge of completing the loan signing of Italian international forward Nicolo Zaniolo from Galatasaray, according to reports.
Zaniolo, who has won 13 caps for his country, completed a medical at the Premier League club on Thursday and is now ready to finalise the transfer.
Fabrizio Romano reported that the attacker was ‘on his way’ to sign a contract with Villa on Thursday night, meaning a formal announcement of the deal should be imminent.
Former Roma man Zaniolo will arrive at Villa Park initially on loan for a fee of £3million, with Emery’s side having an option to make the move permanent for £19million.
The 24-year-old joined Galatasaray in January after a public falling out with Roma boss Jose Mourinho.
Nicolo Zaniolo is set to join Aston Villa on an initial loan deal from Galatasaray
Villa boss Unai Emery is looking to boost his squad following serious knee injuries for Emiliano Buendia and Tyrone Mings
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Having informed the Serie A giants that he did not plan to see out his contract with the club until 2024, Zaniolo refused to meet with Bournemouth representatives after the Cherries agreed a deal to sign him earlier this year.
The forward opted for a move to Istanbul instead, scoring five goals in 19 appearances in the Turkish Super Lig last term.
Recently-appointed Villa sporting director Monchi signed Zaniolo for Roma in 2018 during his time in the Italian capital, and has used his book of contacts to boost Emery’s squad.
The Midlands club have been searching for attacking reinforcements since it was announced that playmaker Emiliano Buendia will miss the majority of the season with a serious knee injury.
Defender Tyrone Mings has also been ruled out for a significant period of time after suffering a similar injury in the 5-1 defeat to Newcastle United on the opening day of the season.
Monchi has been busy over the summer adding to the Villa playing squad.
Zaniolo scored five goals in 19 appearances after signing for Galatasaray in January
The Italian international joined the Turkish giants after falling out with Jose Mourinho at Roma
Youri Tielemans has arrived on a free transfer from Leicester City, and sizeable fees have been spent on Villareal’s Pau Torres and Bayer Leverkusen’s Moussa Diaby.
Diaby got his Premier League career off to a positive start with a goal at St.James’ Park, but the news that Zaniolo is set to join him among Emery’s attacking options will no doubt be a boost for the Villa boss.
The club are also on the verge of completing the signing of Argentine World Cup winner Marcos Acuna from Sevilla to provide more depth in defence.
Villa are back in action on Sunday when they welcome Everton to Villa Park.
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