Udinese hold €9m option to sign Nicolò Zaniolo permanently
Udinese hold a €9 million option to make Nicolò Zaniolo's loan move from Galatasaray permanent this summer, according to reports from Italy, but the player's salary demands could complicate the deal. The clause must be activated by the end of April, presenting the Friulian club with a crucial decision regarding the Italian international's future. Zaniolo has revived his career at the Dacia Arena, scoring six goals and providing six assists in 28 Serie A appearances this season while wearing the iconic number 10 shirt once donned by Zico.
The 24-year-old's form has been a cornerstone of Udinese's campaign, highlighted by a decisive performance in a recent victory over AC Milan at San Siro. His resurgence comes after a turbulent period marked by injuries and inconsistency following his high-profile departure from Roma to Galatasaray. According to the reports, Udinese's current loan arrangement is financially favorable, costing the Pozzo family-owned club only €1 million for the season, with Galatasaray covering a portion of the wages. However, exercising the purchase option would require Udinese to commit to Zaniolo's full salary, reported to be €3 million net per season.
This financial consideration opens the door for other Serie A clubs, with Juventus, Napoli, and AC Milan all reportedly monitoring the situation. These clubs, likely to be involved in next season's Champions League, are seen as potential destinations should Udinese decide against the permanent move or fail to agree on personal terms. Zaniolo's past links to managers like Luciano Spalletti at Napoli and Antonio Conte, who knew him from his time at Inter, add to the speculation. Milan had shown interest in previous transfer windows but were deterred by a much higher price tag.
For Udinese, securing Zaniolo would represent a significant coup and a statement of intent for their project. The club is credited with providing the stable environment he needed to rediscover his best form, both on the pitch and personally, with sources noting a newfound maturity. The coming weeks will determine whether he remains a central figure in that project or becomes a target for Italy's elite. His stated preference is to remain in Italy, but the final decision will hinge on the resolution of the contractual and financial negotiations between player and club.
