Lazio are reportedly interested in signing Niccolò Zaniolo from Udinese, a move that would reunite the forward with Mattia Zaccagni under potentially awkward circumstances. The interest comes as manager Gennaro Gattuso seeks to bolster his attacking options ahead of the upcoming Serie A season.
The potential transfer is complicated by a prior personal relationship involving both players and Chiara Nasti, an influencer and former partner of Zaniolo. Zaniolo and Nasti ended their relationship in April 2021, after which Nasti began a relationship with Zaccagni, eventually marrying him in a ceremony held in Rome. The situation escalated when social media users questioned Zaniolo’s paternity of Nasti’s child, leading to a public exchange of comments between Nasti and online critics.
Nasti responded to the online commentary with a strongly worded post, further fueling the controversy. While reports suggest Zaniolo and Zaccagni resolved their differences during a national team gathering in 2022, the history adds a layer of complexity to a potential partnership at the Stadio Olimpico. The pair reportedly reached a truce at Coverciano, although Zaniolo’s departure from the camp due to a minor injury curtailed the brief period of coexistence.
Zaniolo joined Udinese after his time with Roma, where he had been a key player before a series of injuries and off-field issues. He has demonstrated flashes of brilliance but has struggled for consistent form since leaving the capital. A move to Lazio would see him return to Rome, albeit representing the club’s biggest rivals. Several players have made the switch between Roma and Lazio throughout history, including Sinisa Mihajlovic, Angelo Peruzzi, Pedro, and Ciccio Cordova. The financial details of a potential transfer have not yet been disclosed, but the move could offer Zaniolo a fresh start and a chance to reignite his career.
