Napoli have now placed a £35m price-tag on midfielder Piotr Zielinski, after claims Liverpool want to sign him in the summer.
That’s according to CalcioMercato, who state that the Serie A league leaders have decided to give the Poland international a valuation, as his contract is set to expire in June 2024.
The Italian outfit accept they won’t be able to demand more than £35m with the player’s deal dwindling, and reportedly, that was the amount they rejected from West Ham United last season.
Napoli will offer Zielinski a new deal, but as he has been asked to take a pay-cut, he’s likely to reject it.
Taking to an interview with GiveMeSport, journalist Rudy Galetti claimed the Reds could decide to make a move for the 28-year-old in the summer – as he is likely to leave Italy at that point.
CalcioMercato support this, as they suggest Jurgen Klopp’s side and Newcastle United are targeting the midfielder.
Liverpool interested in Zielinski
Liverpool have long been interested in a move for Zielinski, and this could possibly be the season where a deal finally comes to fruition.
According to The Guardian, the Reds made a bid to sign him back in 2016, when Napoli were also in the race to secure his services.
The Italian club’s president, Aurelio De Laurentiis, even admitted the player wanted the move to Anfield, claiming (via The Guardian): “Liverpool have made a bid for him and Zielinski wants to join them but we are trying to convince the player to join us, because we have an agreement with Udinese.”
Therefore, we’re not entirely sure why his move fell through, as it seemed like everything was close to being completed.
However, with Zielinski’s contract closing in on its expiry at Napoli, Liverpool have the chance to bring him in on a cut-price deal.
Hailed by Polish legend Zbigniew Boniek as an ‘extraordinary’ midfielder, the Serie A star could prove to be a brilliant value for money buy for the Reds.
Therefore, with Klopp looking to rebuild his midfield this summer, the club should explore a deal to bring him in.