Only three Roma players bothered to message Nicolo Zaniolo after he left the club

Only three of Nicolo Zaniolo teammates have messaged him since he left Roma to join Galatasaray, after a month of trying to force a move.

How many people actually stay mates with their ex when someone says "I hope we can still be friends" at the end of a relationship?

It's no doubt the same in football when it comes to a player leaving a club after he's been asking to leave for a significant period of time.

Jose Mourinho certainly didn't sound like he had any interest in keeping in contact when Zaniolo told him he wanted to leave Roma last month.

The former Manchester United boss has fallen out with enough players who did play for him over the years, never mind one that didn't want to be there.

Zaniolo had a number of failed transfers in the January window, with Tottenham Hotspur, Bournemouth and Leeds United amongst those who made moves or were linked with him.

Eventually the forward left for Turkey, signing for Galatasaray just a couple of days ago, with the Super Lig transfer window still open.

According to Corriere dello Sport, things clearly didn't end well for him in the Italian capital, with only Chris Smalling, Tammy Abraham and Leonardo Spinazzola messaging the Italy forward following his departure.

Zaniolo and Abraham clearly had a friendship. Image: Alamy

The report claims that he was no longer on good terms with the rest of his teammates, following his decision the previous month to leave the Stadio Olimpico.

He had moved to the club in 2018, along with Davide Santon, as part of the move that saw midfielder Radja Nainggolan move to Inter Milan.

Zaniolo actually earned his first call up to the national team before he'd played a single Serie A game, for either club, although he didn't make his international debut until after he'd appeared for Roma.

His talent has been obvious throughout his short career to date but the 23-year-old has been hit by two ACL injuries, one to each knee, with the second keeping him out most of the 2020/21 season.

The window in Turkey was due to close on Wednesday but, following the tragic earthquake in the country, it's been reported that there is an agreement to extend it.

Jesse Lingard could reportedly still be set for a move there, with both Besiktas and Fenerbahce said to be interested in the Nottingham Forest star.