Lazio President Claudio Lotito announces they have missed out on Piotr Zielinski, who ‘prefers to stay at Napoli with a lower salary than we were offering.’
It is a blow for the Biancocelesti, who had identified the Poland international as the ideal replacement for Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, who made the move to Al-Hilal for €40m.
Zielinski would also have reunited with former Napoli coach Maurizio Sarri, but it seems as if that is now completely off the cards.
“Piotr is out of the running now,” Lotito told Il Messaggero newspaper.
“Last night, the Polish player put a stop to all talks. He has decided to stay at Napoli and prefers to remain with a lower salary than we were offering him.”
The 29-year-old had also been linked with Juventus and Al-Ahli, as his current contract at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona is due to expire in June 2024.
However, he seems intent on signing a new deal in Naples, even at a reduced wage.
The midfielder has been in Italy since coming to the Udinese academy in 2011 and joined Napoli in the summer of 2016.
Zielinski amassed 329 competitive appearances for the Partenopei, scoring 47 goals and providing 44 assists.