West Ham United are locked in talks with Napoli over David Moyes’ interest in the transfer of Piotr Zielinski, but the midfielder is currently undecided on accepting a potential switch.
That’s according to Sky Sports, who note Zielinski is weighing up the benefits of leaving his Serie A side. He is guaranteed to play in the Champions League this term if the 28-year-old stays in Naples, but also accepts this may be his last chance to join a Premier League outfit.
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Zielinski joined Napoli from Udinese for €10m (£8.5m) after two years on loan with Empoli in 2016. He has since gone on to amass 281 games with the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona natives across all competitions, whilst providing 40 goals and 33 assists in 18,155 minutes.
The 72-cap Poland international would like to experience playing in the Premier League at some point of his career. But Zielinski accepts the clock is ticking to leave Napoli, where he is under contract through to 2024 with the option for a further year, and move to England.
West Ham interested in offering Napoli ace Zielinski his Premier League chance
West Ham are interested in providing Zielinski with his opportunity to leave Napoli during the summer sales. But initial discussions between the Irons and Azzurri have highlighted a gap in valuations. Napoli president Aurelio de Laurentiis wants in excess of €40m (£33m).
The Irons are yet to submit an official offer, and are weighing up if they are willing to meet or get close to Napoli’s price tag. Reports by Gazzetta dello Sport have indicated West Ham are ready to pay €35m (£29m), as Moyes eyes another midfielder following Flynn Downes.
West Ham would also offer Zielinski a €5m-a-year (£80k-a/w) contract if he is interested in leaving Napoli. Moyes is keen on his transfer to the London Stadium to provide Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek extra competition after Mark Noble retired and Alex Kral’s loan expired.
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