A fresh report coming out of La Gazzetta dello Sport (via Mundo Deportivo) has claimed that Atletico Madrid are keeping close tabs on the situation of a certain Nicolo Zaniolo, Roma’s 23-year-old attacking midfielder, as his current deal with the Italian side expires in 2024. 

Atletico Madrid are bearing the consequences of a failed sporting project. To begin with, the salary cost of the squad has gone beyond its limit and the failure to continue in the UEFA Champions League, as well as the Europa League, has made the team extremely vulnerable in the market.

For that particular reason, the Rojiblancos will approach the next few transfer windows in a cautious state. This means the management will only target those names who are either available on a free transfer or might come in cheap.

This is when Zaniolo comes into the picture. Given the fact that the departure of Joao Felix is almost certain, the team from the Spanish capital city will want someone to fill the void. And since the possibility of Zaniolo signing a new contract with Roma are low, Atletico can actually think of making an official approach.

The report says that Zaniolo is a player that Andrea Berta, Atletico’s sports director, knows very well and the man in charge is of the idea that the Italian would be the perfect player to replace the exit-bound Felix.

As of today, Roma do not really want to part ways with the playmaker and for that, they have established contact with the player’s agent. But given the interest he has generated, the Italian international might as well look to change his environment.

In that regard, Atletico Madrid are certainly not the only team monitoring his situation, with Borussia Dortmund, Juventus and AC Milan also said to be keeping tabs.