Fiorentina have made significant progress in their negotiations with Galatasaray for Nicolò Zaniolo, surpassing Atalanta’s position in the race to sign the Italian forward. On Saturday, the Tuscan club engaged in lengthy discussions with Galatasaray, advancing their bid for the player.
Sky Sport Italia report that the Turkish club has lowered their initial asking price from €20 million to €19 million, which includes a loan deal with a conditional obligation to buy. Both parties are currently working on the specifics of the appearance-based clauses that would trigger the mandatory purchase.
Fiorentina appear more willing to meet Galatasaray’s terms, while Atalanta maintains a slightly more rigid stance. This flexibility has given Fiorentina an advantage in the negotiations, despite Atalanta being considered the frontrunner earlier.
Zaniolo, who spent the previous season on loan at Aston Villa, is keen on returning to Serie A. During his time in England, the 24-year-old forward made 40 appearances across various competitions, including the Premier League, Conference League, FA Cup, Champions League qualifiers, and EFL Cup, scoring 3 goals.
The potential acquisition of Zaniolo could significantly bolster Fiorentina’s attack under new manager Raffaele Palladino. After reaching two consecutive Conference League finals, the club is looking to strengthen its squad to improve its Serie A performance and meet its ambitious goals for the upcoming season.
