Jose Mourinho says it’s ‘unfortunate’ Roma star Nicolo Zaniolo is staying

Jose Mourinho has said it is unfortunate that Nicolo Zaniolo looks set to remain at Roma with a transfer away yet to materialise.

Zaniolo has been heavily linked with a move away from Roma after declaring that he sees his future elsewhere.

However, it was reported earlier this week that the 23-year-old rejected a chance to sign for Premier League club Bournemouth.

It is believed that Zaniolo refused to take part in negotiations after the two clubs agreed a fee in the region of £26 million.

Aside from Bournemouth, it was reported that Tottenham Hotspur and AC Milan were also keeping an eye on Zaniolo's situation. However, they were not willing to match the offer made by the Cherries.

Now, it looks likely he will be staying put and Roma boss Mourinho has said that it is unfortunate Zaniolo is staying despite his clear desire to leave the club.

The ‘Special One’ told reporters: “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.”

Alamy

Mourinho continued: “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.”

In total, Zaniolo has played 128 times for Roma and has also represented Italy on 11 occasions.