Victor Osimhen and Piotr Zielinski returned to the starting XI on Friday after sitting out the friendly against Augsburg. Osimhen didn’t play against the Germans for precautionary reasons, with a mega-offer looming from Saudi club Al Hilal. Meanwhile, Piotr Zielinski appeared to be on the verge of joining Al Ahli. However, according to Italian media, both players have rejected their respective Saudi offers.
Osimhen is reportedly close to extendng his contract with Napoli until 2027, on terms that would satisfy both parties. The reigning Capocannoniere is expected to earn a pay increase to €10 million net per season, which pale in comparison to Al Hilal’s offer of €40 million per season, but would immediately make Osimhen the highest-paid player in club history. Meanwhile, Napoli are said to be negotiating a release clause in the neighborhood of €150 million. A repeat of last season’s performance would just about guarantee the departure of the 24-year-old next summer while more-than-funding the purchase of a replacement.
Zielinski is said to have declined the Saudi offer for family reasons and is reportedly back at the negotiating table. After a strong performance against Apollon Limassol, the Napoli midfielder reunited with his family in Poland, where he will spend his days off.
The players will report back to Castel Volturno on Monday to prepare for the opening match of the 2023/24 campaign, the last season for Zielinski under his current contract.
Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis will undoubtedly leverage the Pole’s desire to remain at Napoli to force the midfielder to accept a low salary. The transfer fees on the sale of Zielinski – estimated to be at least €30 million – were expected to fund the purchase of Celta Vigo starlet Gabri Veiga. However, Napoli remain interested in the Spanish midfielder, regardless of the outcome of the Zielinski negotiations, as confirmed by former Napoli coach Rafa Benitez.
“He has a situation, like other players from a lot of other teams, in that the transfer market is open, he has a release clause and there is a lot of talk about his leaving.” said the Celta Vigo manager. “He is a player that I like, he can score goals and help the team win, but the situation is what it is. That’s how the market goes and the interest in him is real. For us, the ideal would be to resolve the situation soon, but otherwise I’m glad I have him.”
