Nicolo Zaniolo ‘ready to sue’ Jose Mourinho’s Roma after suffering ‘media massacre’
Nicolo Zaniolo is reportedly ready to lodge a legal complaint against Roma for their poor treatment of him in the last month.
The Italian international, 23, has been frozen out of the squad completely by Jose Mourinho after handing in a transfer request to force a move away from the Stadio Olimpico. Zanoilo was a key target for Bournemouth following the Cherries’ £120m takeover, though it’s understood the midfielder refused to move to the Premier League club, who instead signed Hamed Traore from Sassuolo.
The snub has rubbed up Mourinho the wrong way with Roma missing out on £26m that could have been reinvested into aiding their push for the Champions League.
READ MORE: Angry Jose Mourinho storms down the tunnel before half-time in Roma cup exit
Zaniolo, who lasted featured for I Giallorossi in the Italian Cup on January 12 and currently resides with his parents 250 miles up the west coast, now faces an unexpected few months in the capital.
According to Italian outlet Il Messaggero, Zaniolo’s family have contacted lawyers to start legal proceedings against Roma, alleging “mobbing and psychological pressure” amid a “media massacre” at the player.
On Monday (January 30), Zaniolo claimed he was forced to call the police after he was confronted by furious Roma fans at his house.
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(Image: Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images)
Mourinho addressed the midfielder’s situation in the press prior to their 2-1 defeat at Napoli. He said: “Zaniolo has been saying for a month that he wants to leave. Unfortunately, it looks like I was right. I say unfortunately because the player has been saying for a month that he wants to leave.
“If a player tells everyone he no longer wants to wear the Roma jersey, I have to say unfortunately. When a player tells you, the club and his team-mates, ‘I don’t want to wear the Roma jersey, I don’t want to play, I don’t want to go back to training…’ I have to say unfortunately.
“The ideal situation is for the player to be happy. I said that I expected him to stay, but as things stand today, I have to add unfortunately to that sentence.”
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