Last summer, Aston Villa signed Nicolò Zaniolo from Galatasaray on a loan deal with a conditional obligation to buy from Galatasaray.
Aston Villa director Monchi knew the winger from their time at AS Roma and was vital in bringing the player to Villa Park.
Corriere dello Sport have published a detailed interview with the 24-year-old, where he thanked the Spaniard for deciding to bet on him.
The Italy international made this claim when asked if he wants to return to Italy, after struggling for regular game time under Unai Emery.
“Who knows?! I asked my agent, Claudio Vigorelli, to inform me only if and when there is something concrete. Now I have to concentrate on Aston Villa,” he said.
“Oh sure [I miss Italy], a lot. Friends, family, my son. But now it’s up to the clubs to define my future: the card belongs to Galatasaray. In the meantime, let me say that I’m grateful to Monchi for still betting on me after signing me from Roma when I was 19.”
He’s seen his pitch time restricted in this calendar year, with 156 minutes from 11 games. The former AS Roma man has admitted he isn’t pleased with his current situation at Aston Villa and believes he deserves more minutes.
“Yes, I played less than expected. But I think a period of adaptation to a different football and country is physiological. When I arrived in England, I didn’t even speak the language. It is difficult to acclimatise, also because many of my teammates are married and I spent a lot of time alone.”
Over the past few weeks, claims in the Italian media have mentioned the Aston Villa man returning to Serie A in the summer. Fiorentina, AC Milan, Juventus and even Lazio are among the clubs credited with an interest in the attacker.
Zaniolo has ruled out a move to Lazio due to his association with Roma.
“I don’t know anything. But anyway, I want to be honest: for what Roma has represented for me and also out of respect for the Lazio fans, it would be an unfeasible situation,” he added.
“After the summer we will see what will happen. Roma is always in my heart, which is why I would never go to Lazio.”
