Liverpool “Haven’t Made a Formal Offer” for Piotr Zielinski

According to Udinese sporting director Nereo Bonato, though they have talked to Liverpool about midfielder Piotr Zielinski this summer, they haven’t yet received any offer for the player. Napoli, though, has made a bid for the Polish international, one that Udinese have accepted.

"We have an agreement with Napoli for Zielinski," Bonato told Radio Kiss Kiss Napoli. "The player is right now on holiday after the European Championship and deciding what he will do next season. Liverpool have only made contract with us about Zielinski. They haven’t made a formal offer."

This would seem to run counter to what Liverpool-connected journalists have been saying for months about Zielinski being one of Jürgen Klopp’s top two midfield targets. The interest would certainly seem to be real, but if Liverpool are yet to make a bid, it rather appears to make it seem less serious.

It could be, then, that Zielinski is a target but not in fact the primary one; that it’s a case of Mahmoud Dahoud or Zielinski rather than a case of Dahoud and Zielinski. Or it could be that another midfielder not yet as heavily linked is the preferred target for Klopp and Liverpool this summer.

Whatever the case, with a firm Napoli offer on the table having been accepted by Udinese, it seems clear Liverpool will have to make a decision shortly—do they match Napoli with a formal bid and let the player get the Anfield move he so craves, or allow things to drag on and risk losing him.

Because if Klopp truly does see Zielinski as a top target, holding off on formalising their interest for very much longer could well see the player change his mind and agree to remain in Serie A. Poland are out at the Euros; a firm bid from Napoli is on the table. Now Liverpool must make their choice.