Naples: Zielinski renewal still in the balance

In one of his most famous interpretations, Marlon Brando says he is able to make an offer that cannot be refused. Piotr Zielinski had actually received one of those really difficult to decline. But there are components of life, such as family stability, that not even an avalanche of money would be enough to buy. Now in each case the crossroads is different. He chose to stay in Naples, in an environment where he integrated perfectly, embraced by the warmth of a city that has always appreciated his shy demeanor, sometimes so unsmiling as to make one believe he is never entirely happy. But it has always been exactly the opposite. To the point that he has opened up the possibility of reducing one’s earnings, in order not to undermine certain balances that are worth more than any sum. However, the signing for a new deal has not yet been done and the season has begun. At the moment there are not even meetings scheduled to put everything in black and white. And at this point there is an even more worrying deadline than that of the contract itself, because from 1 February he will be free to agree with another team for the following year.

always protagonist

—

The start of the current one has also seen him as a great protagonist so far: he has played all three matches as a starter, also scoring in the defeat against Lazio. Proving, therefore, that he is in any case one of the cornerstones of the technical project, despite a summer in which he seemed ready to accept the honors that Saudi Arabia was ready to bestow on him. In fact, Al Ahli had offered him a salary of around 15 million euros per season, with a contract until 2026 or 2027. An amount so significant that inevitably it was taken into consideration. The Pole discussed it for days with his wife Laura, imagining the best future for them and little Maksymilian, the couple’s eldest son who is two years old today. Saudi Arabia is a world too far from the Italian reality that they have always lived in, by language and culture. They would undoubtedly have enjoyed greater richness, but the setting would have been too complex. So in the end Zielinski communicated to Aurelio De Laurentiis the decision not to accept the transfer, effectively reopening the discussions for a renewal.

thoughts and waste

—

Initially the player had stalled at the end of the season. The current agreement will expire next June and provides for a salary of 3.5 million. Napoli, in line with corporate policy – ​​to which only Di Lorenzo has so far been an exception – had offered him new conditions for an extension, reducing his salary to 2.5 and extending the duration to 2026. He had taken some time to think, until the Lazio survey arrived. Lotito and De Laurentiis negotiated the sale price, until the Lazio president withdrew from the negotiation, deeming the request of over 25 million for a player nearing the end of his contract excessive. Meanwhile, in Castel Volturno they were working on the purchase of Gabri Veiga, star of Celta Vigo, identified as Zielinski’s heir. The Spaniard would have been taken even after the decision to remain in the blue of the former Udinese and Empoli. But at that point Al Ahli did not digest the humiliation of the refusal and the attitude deemed irreverent by De Laurentiis, who would have collected 30 million from this operation. Thus the Arabs seduced Veiga, almost snatching his pen when signing with Napoli, in one of the most incredible twists of this transfer market.

the scenarios

—

Today’s uncertainty opens up various scenarios for tomorrow. A player of this level, on a free transfer, would enjoy an excellent transfer market. He could also become an option again for Lazio, which despite having bought Kamada and Guendouzi could need to strengthen the department in case of significant transfers. And the Biancocelesti would have guaranteed him to keep the same salary for the next three years. Zielinski would also find a coach he knows well and who respects him, like Sarri. In short, another offer of the tempting ones, also because Rome is not Jeddah and Naples is not that far away.