Milan and Roma face stiff competition from perennial Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain in hot pursuit of Cagliari star Gabriele Zappa. According to Calciomercato, Les Parisiens have added the Sardinians right-back to their shortlist for the January transfer window.
Zappa’s contract at the Unipol Domus runs out at the end of the season. Despite Cagliari’s best effort to renew the 24-year-old’s deal, he seems keen to take his career to the next step, with Milan and Roma monitoring the situation with great attention.
Despite signing Emerson Royal in the summer, Milan remain in the market for an upgrade on the Brazilian and Davide Calabria. Zappa has emerged as a decent low-cost solution. The Inter academy graduate caught Milan’s eye after netting a spectacular brace in last month’s 3-3 draw.
Meanwhile, Claudio Ranieri wants to beat Milan to the punch and reunite with Zappa at Roma. The two worked together in Sardinia, and the veteran coach hopes to lure his former pupil to the Stadio Olimpico after returning from retirement to take over the Giallorossi.
However, Milan and Roma face formidable foreign competition from PSG. Achraf Hakimi has locked down the starting berth at the Parc des Princes as his own. Yet, Luis Enrique doesn’t have a suitable alternative for the Moroccan superstar, hence the club’s interest in Zappa.
On a positive note for Milan and Roma, PSG can’t offer the Italian ace regular first-team football. Indeed, they’re seeking a backup option, and Zappa will unlikely settle for playing second fiddle at this stage of his career.