Lazio have earmarked wantaway Napoli ace Piotr Zielinski as Sergej Milinkovic-Savic’s heir, claims Italian journalist Alfredo Pedulla.
Milinkovic-Savic’s long-term association with the club is nearing its end after the 28-year-old accepted a lucrative offer from Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal.
Club president Claudio Lotito has already initiated talks with Napoli over the Poland international’s move to the Stadio Olimpico following a breakdown in extension talks between Zielinski and the Partenopei.
With only final details missing before the Serb becomes a new Al-Hilal player, the Biancocelesti are wasting no time replacing him, but they’ll need to pay a hefty price.
Milinkovic-Savic’s imminent transfer to Saudi Arabia will pour around €40 million into Lazio’s coffers, although a large chunk of that sum will be required to prise Zielinski away from Napoli.
Aurelio De Laurentiis has set a €25m price tag on the midfielder’s shoulders, and it may take up to €5m in add-ons to get the deal over the line.
Lazio will try to drive the price down, even though they must be well aware of De Laurentiis’ negotiating techniques and unpreparedness to budge on his demands by now.
They may use the player’s contract situation as a bargaining chip.
Zielinski has been an always-present figure in the Partenopei midfield since arriving from Udinese in 2016, making over 250 appearances in Serie A alone.
But his deal at the Diego Maradona Stadium expires next summer, and the club’s attempt to force him to take a pay cut to sign an extension has made him withdraw from negotiations.
Lazio are looking to exploit the situation and convince the Pole to move to Rome, with Lotito opening talks with his Napoli counterparts last week to accelerate the transfer.
Given his undeniable quality and vast Serie A experience, Zielinski would be a massive upgrade on Maurizio Sarri’s midfield options now that Milinkovic-Savic is close to departing the club.
