Napoli Sporting Director Mauro Meluso expects that Inter Milan-bound Piotr Zielinski will keep giving his all for the Partenopei regardless of his long-term future.
The executive spoke to Italian broadcaster DAZN, via FCInterNews, revealing that the club had a “frank discussion” with the Pole after the decision to exclude him from the club’s Champions League squad.
By now, Zielinski’s future is no big secret.
It has been clear for weeks now that the 29-year-old will not sign an extension to his contract with Napoli.
Therefore, at the end of June, Zielinski will be free to leave for any club he chooses.
And Inter are the club who have stepped forwards to sign the Polish international.
The Nerazzurri are not the only club to have shown an interest in Zielinski on a free transfer. But they are the ones who moved fastest and convinced the player.
Inter have been working in talks with Zielinski’s representatives for some time now.
Since the start of January, Zielinski has been free to work out a pre-contrract agreement to commit his future from July onwards.
And Inter have officially informed Napoli of their agreement with Zielinski and intention to make things official.
Napoli Director Meluso On “Frank Chat” With Inter Bound Piotr Zielinski
The story between Zielinski and Napoli came one page closer to ending this week.
The Partenopei confirmed their squad for the Champions League round of sixteen. That squad does not include Zielinski.
The former Empoli and Udinese midfielder has been a key man for Napoli for several years, and under several different managers.
Zielinski had been one of the first names on the teamsheet under Luciano Spalletti as the Partenopei won the Serie A title for the first time in over three decades last season.
However, the Pole will play no part against Barcelona later this month.
Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis explained that the reason for this is to give other players, including some January signings, a chance to prove themselves.
The outspoken Partenopei President made clear that with Zielinski on the way out, the club’s priority is to give chances to players who’ll be at the club next season.
And the Partenopei’s Sporting Director Meluso has elaborated on this decision.
“We explained the logic of these decisions to the players,” the Napoli executive said.
“Telling them that they are personal but exclusively to do with football.”
“No other reasons came into it,” he went on.
“All those excluded they understood why it was necessary,” Meluso said. “Then we’ll have to see whether the decisions prove to be the right or the wrong ones.”
The Napoli Sporting Director explained that “There was a frank discussion with Piotr.”
“He’s a great guy, he’s given so much to Napoli over the years and will continue to give more,” Meluso said of the Pole.
“Even if now that will only be in the league, and not in the Champions League.”
