Napoli identify Fenerbahçe’s Sebastian Szymanski as a replacement for Piotr Zielinski | OneFootball

Napoli seem likely to lose midfielder Piotr Zielinski soon and they are preparing for life without the Pole, with Fenerbahçe’s Sebastian Szymanski seen as a replacement.

Initially reported by Turkish outlet Sporx, Daniele Longo has confirmed the talk about Napoli’s interest in Szymanski. The Partenopei are keeping a close eye on the 24-year-old Pole, who has impressed the club’s scouting department with his performances for the Turkish giants.

The midfielder has scored goals and has three assists in ten appearances in the Turkish league, also assisting thrice in six Conference League games.

Napoli are losing hope of tying down Zielinski to a new deal and talks can now be considered to be ‘off’. The 29-year-old was inclined to reduce his salary but only starting from the 2025/2026 season while Napoli offered a salary of €2.5 million per season (€1 million less than the current salary) immediately. This is why the Italian club is already evaluating various options to replace Zielinski and Szymanski is of keen interest.

It will be difficult, if not impossible, to start a negotiation as early as January. Fener invested €10 million last summer and consider him untransferable at least until next summer barring indecent offers. Napoli are in no hurry and are ready to wait for the right moment to pounce.

Kaustubh Pandey | GIFN