Manchester United have expressed an interest in making a move for Napoli midfielder Piotr Zielinski in the event that they are unable to land their first choice target according to a recent report in the Manchester Evening News.
The Carabao Cup winners have been widely reported to be preparing a move for Chelsea’s Mason Mount, although, and despite the fact that he only has one year remaining on his deal at Stamford Bridge, the Englishman’s signature is expected to cost in the region of €80m.
United are also eyeing a big-money move for a ‘top’ striker in the summer, and would be unlikely to spend so extortionately on two players within the same window according to the M.E.N..
So, if they are unable to work out a deal for Mount, Napoli’s Zielinski is also reported to be an enticing option, given that he is also approaching the final year of his contract and would cost a fraction of Mount’s rumoured price.
The Polish international was instrumental in Napoli’s Scudetto success this year, registering seven league goals and 10 assists as he Partenopei were crowned Serie A champions for the first time since the Diego Maradona era.
Zielinski is also familiar with United’s first choice no.10 and vice-captain Bruno Fernandes from their time playing together for Udinese in 2013-14.
Fernandes speaks highly of Zielinski, claiming that he is one of the few players with whom he regularly keeps in contact from his time in Italy.
“Technically, I can say that Zielinski is better trained than I am,” Fernandes claimed in an interview with Canal Plus Sport in 2021. He continued: “I have a really good relationship with Piotr. He’s a top guy, I like him a lot. He is one of the people I met in Italy with whom I am in touch all the time.”