Tottenham and Bournemouth target Nicolo Zaniolo failed to turn up for Roma training after police were called on supporters outside of his house.
The versatile Italian has been the subject of much transfer speculation after a fine 2021/22 season in Rome.
Capable of playing as an attacking midfielder or winger, Zaniolo has been heavily linked with a switch to the Premier League or to stay in Italy to join AC Milan.
Relegation-threatened Bournemouth reportedly agreed a deal, only for it to be turned down by the 11-cap Italy international.
His club manager, Jose Mourinho, has since said ‘unfortunately he will be staying’ – claiming the player has asked to leave every day of the January transfer window.
That has seen a vile backlash from supporters, with banners against him outside of Rome’s colosseum, and also the club’s Trigoria training complex.
Now, following a 2-1 Serie A loss to Napoli – which Zaniolo missed – it’s been reported that the police were involved around 1:30am after the defeat due to fans outside of his house.
Leading Italian news agency ANSA claim that supporters chased the 23-year-old – calling him a ‘piece of s***’.
Zaniolo subsequently locked himself in his Casal Palocco villa, only for the abuse to continue into the night.
Roma have condemned the incident through ANSA, offering the player their full support.
It’s also been said that the club contacted Zaniolo, before phoning the police to deal with the incident.
Since the night in question, Zaniolo has removed ‘Player of Roma’ from his Instagram page, while his mother and sister have condemned the abuse on their social media.
A banner on a bridge outside of Rome’s colosseum read ‘Zaniolo betrayer and s*** without honour’ and graffiti was left on a wall at the club’s training ground with a similar insult while calling his mother ‘a b****’.
Zaniolo’s mother has since reposted the images with the caption “All this hatred seems a little over the top,” while his sister did the same, writing: “No words needed. Just so sorry for you.”
Roma are yet to release a statement on the incident, with it likely that Zaniolo will attempt a move away before the close of the winter transfer window.
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