The 22-year-old, who joined Nürnberg from Italian third-tier side UC AlbinoLeffe for around €800,000 in the summer of 2025, told Sport Bild that Bundesliga clubs came calling after his debut season in Franconia yielded 14 goals in 29 games.
He revealed, "There was interest from the Bundesliga, from Werder Bremen and FC Augsburg. That was already something special."
Nürnberg, though, set an asking price of €20 million that neither club was willing to meet, and Zoma has a contract running to 2029. He admitted the transfer speculation was difficult to process at first, but says he has made peace with staying.
"It wasn't an easy situation for me at the start, but by now I feel really good about the decision. I have a responsibility here, because the team and the coaching staff have trust in me."
That trust has been repaid handsomely. Zoma has scored six goals in six league games this season, helping Nürnberg to second place in 2. Bundesliga, and was rewarded with his first call-up to the Italian national team, the first player from Germany's second tier ever to receive one. West Ham United had also reportedly offered up to £20 million for him over the summer, without success.
Nürnberg head coach Miroslav Klose, who spent five years at Lazio and remains well regarded in Italy, said he was amused rather than surprised by the sudden Italian interest in his player: "They hadn't had him on their radar at all, and suddenly they're reading Nürnberg and finding out who the coach is there."
Klose added that he has no doubt about the scale of Zoma's ability: "If he knew what he's capable of..."