Midfielder Piotr Zielinski could be dropped from the Napoli squad as links to a summer Inter Milan transfer heat up.
This according to the Corriere dello Sport, via FCInterNews.
Zielinski’s future has looked increasingly to be at Inter in recent weeks.
The Nerazzurri have been approaching the Polish international’s representative to make their interest in signing him on a free transfer if he does not extend his contract with Napoli.
And in the meantime, the Partenopei have been in contract talks with Zielinski.
But these have not gone the way that the reigning Italian champions would have hoped.
The 29-year-old has so far rejected all of the proposals put on the table in front of him.
This has cleared the way for Inter to move in.
Piotr Zielinski Could Drop Out Of Napoli Squad As Inter Links Intensify
Zielinski has not yet agreed anything official with Inter.
Nerazzurri CEO Beppe Marotta has not exactly hid the fact that the Nerazzurri are interested, but has also stressed that there’s no agreement with the Polish international.
However, the fact that the January transfer window open – and June only a few months away – has brought things to a head.
Theoretically, clubs could start openly negotiating with Zielinski and his representatives any time now.
Napoli’s failure to convince Zielinski to sign a new deal becomes more significant by the day.
The former Udinese and Empoli midfielder now looks less likely than ever to change course and extend his contract with the Partenopei.
And this could bleed into Zielinski’s performances on the pitch. To an extent, it already has.
The Pole has not been anywhere near his best for much of this season.
That has also come amid the backdrop of bad form from Napoli as a whole.
Zielinski came off as a substitute at halftime in a recent loss to Torino. And he was left out of the team at the last minute for a Serie A match against Salernitana over the weekend.
That was ostensibly due to reasons of muscular fatigue. But there is a sense that transfer rumours have also played a role.
According to the Corriere, that could also continue to be the case.