Roma sporting director Monchi has spoken on Inter’s reluctance to include Nicolo Zaniolo as a counterpart in the deal that would see them sign Radja Nainggolan during the summer transfer window.
“When we were negotiating we had two requests: him and Andrei Radu. Radu had already gone to Genoa though.
“Inter did not want to sell Zaniolo, they are not stupid, but given that they wanted to take Radja it was only logical that they had to give something up,” he said in an interview with Italian broadcaster Sky Sport.
The Spaniard then went on to discuss whether the deal would have fallen through had the Italian youth international not been included. He also commented on Zaniolo’s start to life in Roma that has taken many, including Monchi by his own admission, by surprise.
“The deal would not have collapsed without Zaniolo, it was not an either/or situation. I have to say, I did not think Zaniolo would be so decisive right away.”
