WANTAWAY Cherries target Nicolo Zaniolo has told his current club Roma he “doesn’t want to return to play with the team”, according to the Serie A side’s boss Jose Mourinho.

Zaniolo reportedly eyed a move to AC Milan this month, but the Rossoneri were unable to match Cherries' bid, which is said to have been around £26million.

However, reports in Italy suggest the 23-year-old turned down Cherries’ advances, with some saying he refused to meet with a delegation of Cherries officials in Rome, instead sending his agent Claudio Vigorelli.

The situation is set to come to a head in the next couple of days, with the transfer window closing on Tuesday.

Mourinho on Friday said: “Unfortunately it seems I'm right. It's been a month that he says he wants to leave.

“I had given the day off on Monday and Tuesday was an optional day.

“All the players who were on the bench against Spezia came to train, the owners made a difference, these are the players who coach wants.

“Team players. Even those who were on the bench made themselves available. 

“He (Zaniolo) told me, the club and his teammates that he doesn't want to play for Roma. He said he doesn't want to return to play with the team, that he doesn't he wants to train with the team. That's why I say unfortunately .

“After the match against Spezia I said that I thought he would stay and now I say unfortunately it seems that's what will really happen.”