Liverpool transfer news: Udinese midfielder Piotr Zielinski ready to choose between Reds and Napoli
KEY POINTS
- Udinese reportedly accepted Napoli's offer but rejected Liverpool's of the same value.
- Sporting director Nero Bonato now suggests player will choose between the two clubs.
Liverpool still appear to have a chance of signing Poland international Piotr Zielinski, who will make a final decision on his club future imminently.
Zielinski, who has spent the last two seasons on loan at Empoli, is also wanted by Napoli, but the Serie A giants appeared to admit defeat in their pursuit of the player in June after club president Aurelio De Laurentiis admitted the player favoured a move to Merseyside.
Zielinski's parent club Udinese however rejected an offer from Jurgen Klopp's side, according to BBC Sport, despite accepting an identical bid – thought to be £11.7m – from Napoli.
Napoli's offer to include Camilo Zuniga on loan as part of the deal appeared to sway things in their favour. La Repubblica also claim the club are also prepared to increase their salary offer in an attempt to convince 22-year-old Zielinski to sign for them.
While it did appear Udinese had ended Zielinski's hopes of signing for Liverpool this summer, latest comments from the club's sporting director Nero Bonato would appear to suggest that is not the case.
Bonato has also claimed the midfielder will soon make his decision known now that Poland's European Championships campaign is over. "I think there is an agreement in principle with the clubs, but the lad going to the Euros froze the deal for the moment," he told Radio Marte, Football Italia reported.
"We are in a waiting period. Zielinski will choose soon, he wanted time to focus solely on the European Championships. The priority now goes to a decision on his future."
Jurgen Klopp has already made three additions to his Liverpool squad since the end of the 2015-16 season. Cameroon defender Joel Matip has been signed on a free transfer, while goalkeeper Loris Karius has been brought in to challenge Simon Mignolet for the no. 1 spot in goal. Sadio Mane has been the most high profile acquisition to date, moving to Anfield for a reported fee of £34m.
Marko Grujic has also been awarded a work permit allowing him to complete a move that was agreed in January.
© Copyright IBTimes 2024. All rights reserved.