Napoli contract rebel remains silent about future plans

Napoli midfielder Piotr Zielinski has refused to rule out anything as regards his contract with the Partenopei, which expires next summer.

Zielinski has been with Napoli for six, going on seven years, after joining them from Udinese in 2016.

The Poland international is a veteran of the club and has been crucial to its most recent successes, winning the Coppa Italia in 2020 and the Serie A title in 2023.

Despite his quality and standing in the team, the midfielder has failed to put pen to paper on a new deal with Napoli to extend his contract, with less than a year remaining until he is eligible to leave as a free agent.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of Napolli’s crucial UEFA Champions League tie against Union Berlin, Zielinski was asked about his contract situation, and he replied, “My agent is in charge of that, and I am not thinking about it now.”

Zielinski’s agent is believed to have met with Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis, whom the Poland international incidentally spoke about during the press conference.

He said, “We were happy the President was close to the team. He spoke to all of us and those working for the club. We said things that must remain inside the dressing room, but it’s positive that he stayed with us.”

Zielinski is not the only Napoli player dragging his feet over extending his contract with the club, as Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen is also taking his time to assess his options, a move that has frustrated President De Laurentiis to the point of speaking out in recent days.