Liverpool are set to sign Udinese’s Polish international, Piotr Zielinski, 22, after the midfielder turned down a move to Italian rivals Napoli. It is understood that a personal telephone conversation with Reds manager, Jurgen Klopp, swayed the Pole’s mind and he is now set on a move to Anfield.
Zielinski previously played for Napoli manager, Maurizio Sarri, at Empoli and had hoped that this would sway the deal but Klopp’s intervention changed that.
Udinese want £12m for the player but Napoli claim to have reached an agreement with their countrymen for £8.7m plus additional bonuses. Chairman Aurelio De Laurentiis noted, “Liverpool have made a bid for him and Zielinski wants to join them but we are trying to convince the player to join us, because we have an agreement with Udinese.”
Liverpool’s bid is thought to be £9.5m without add-ons. He would be the highest profile signing of the summer so far by Klopp. Despite not appearing during Poland’s 1–0 win over Northern Ireland yesterday, there are high hopes that the winger will make his mark on Euro 2016, to add to the three goals he has scored in his fifteen international caps so far.
Klopp meanwhile, has turned his attentions to Leicester’s N’Golo Kante, 25, and is prepared to sanction a £25m bid for the French midfielder. Keen to retain the player, the Foxes have offered him a new £100,000 per week contract as they fight to hold onto their star players.
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