Tottenham transfer target Zaniolo ‘refuses to meet Bournemouth manager’ after they flew out to complete £26m deal with Roma

ROMA midfielder Nicolo Zaniolo is said to have refused to meet with Bournemouth executives this week after they flew to Italy to complete a transfer.

The 23-year-old has been linked with a move from the Stadio Olimpico since the transfer window opened in early January.

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Tottenham and AC Milan had expressed interest in signing him but Bournemouth were willing to make the best offer.

According to Sky Sports Italia, the Cherries were keen to match Roma’s asking price of £26.4million in a bid to close the deal quickly.

However, after the club bosses flew to Italy to meet with Zaniolo, the player refused to take part in the negotiations and instead sent his agent Claudio Vigorelli to the meeting.

Roma were then furious with the midfielder and it is believed the club are now considering disciplinary action against him.

Zaniolo has scored two goals and three assists in 17 appearances for the Yellow-Reds so far this season but was dropped from the squad last week.

While Tottenham and AC Milan remain interested in a potential deal, Roma bosses believe selling the Italy international to Bournemouth would be the best option.

In addition to meeting the initial offer price, the cherries have also offered Zaniolo a significant salary increase.

However, with the midfielder’s next move still uncertain, Juventus could potentially step in to hijack a deal.

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Reports in Italy suggest the Serie A giants could make an offer if Weston McKennie, who has been linked with a move to Leeds, leaves the club.

If so, Zaniolo could easily be persuaded to swap the Stadio Olimpico for the Allianz Stadium as he’s presumably a Juventus fan.