Nicolò Zaniolo will miss Udinese’s remaining Serie A fixtures after suffering a back injury, the club confirmed through official channels. The Italian international has been diagnosed with a lumbar problem and is expected to be sidelined for approximately 15 days, ruling him out of contention for the rest of the current campaign.
Zaniolo will miss both of Udinese’s upcoming matches, including tomorrow’s home game against Cremonese and the final match of the year away to Napoli at the Stadio Maradona. The injury brings an abrupt end to a promising loan spell for the 24-year-old, who joined Udinese from Galatasaray in August.
Udinese now face a crucial decision regarding Zaniolo’s future. The club holds an option to purchase the player for a reported €10 million, but according to reports in Italy, his current salary of €2.75 million net per season is significantly beyond Udinese’s usual wage structure. The loan move was facilitated by financial support from Galatasaray, making a permanent deal potentially problematic.
Zaniolo’s performances for Udinese have reportedly increased his market value, leading to speculation that other, more financially robust clubs may emerge as potential suitors. Prior to the injury, he had become a key player for Andrea Sottil’s side, contributing significantly to their attacking play. He began his career at Inter Milan, but rose to prominence with Roma, where he established himself as one of Italy’s most promising young talents.
Udinese will need to weigh the benefits of retaining a talented player against the financial implications of his contract. A renegotiation of terms, potentially reducing his salary, could be explored, or the club may opt to sell Zaniolo to a club capable of meeting his wage demands. The coming weeks will determine whether Zaniolo remains in Udine or continues his career elsewhere.
