Former Napoli Sporting Director Mauro Meluso admits that it’s a “big misstep” to allow Piotr Zielinski to join Inter Milan.

The executive spoke to Italian broadcaster SportItalia, via FCInterNews. He took responsibility for allowing the Polish international’s situation in Naples deteriorate to the point he left on a free transfer.

This summer, Inter have once again made a big splash in the free transfer market.

As they had done signing the likes of Hakan Calhanoglu and Henrikh Mkhitaryan from direct rivals, the Nerazzurri have once again brought in a big name Serie A midfielder without a transfer fee.

Zielinski had stayed at Napoli last summer despite strong transfer links to the Saudi Pro League.

And since the 30-year-old’s contract was set to run out at the end of last month, the Partenopei naturally made it a priority to try and reach an agreement with him on a new deal.

However, things never quite took off in negotiations between Zielinski and Napoli.

Amidst the backdrop of the Campanian club’s disastrous title defense, the Polish international had doubts and rejected the offers from his former club on a new long-term deal.

This left the door open for Inter to try and lure Zielinski away from the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.

Ex Napoli Sporting Director Meluso: “Piotr Zielinski To Inter A Big Misstep”

Inter convinced Zielinski that theirs is the right project for him.

The Pole leaves Napoli after eight seasons in Naples.

Zielinski played under the likes of Maurizio Sarri, Carlo Ancelotti, Gennaro Gattuso, and Leonardo Spalletti prior to last season’s chaotic merry-go-round of coaches.

The Pole was a key player as Napoli won their first Serie A title in 33 years under Spalletti.

Looking back on his year as Napoli Sporting Director, Meluso said “We lost Zielinski on a free transfer.”

“I take full responsibility,” he continued.

“There were problems that had been simmering for a while in his case. Each situation has its own story and its own dynamics.”

Meluso admitted, “Objectively, losing Zielinski for nothing was a misstep.”

“Perhaps the wage demands from the player’s entourage were too high.”

“Sometimes that’s the case with these situations,” Meluso said.