Zeballos could bid farewell to Boca against Universidad Católica | OneFootball

This Thursday at La Bombonera, Boca will be playing for a place in the Copa Libertadores round of 16 against Universidad Católica. In a heated match where there is no room for error, Xeneize could also be facing the farewell of one of the greatest gems from its youth academy: Exequiel Zeballos. The club is expecting an offer from Napoli to complete his sale in the mid-year transfer window.

The truth is that talks over the Changuito’s contract renewal have reached a dead end, and that is why both sides agreed to look for a way out, since neither wants him to leave on a free. In that context, the Italian club appeared on the scene, having reportedly already agreed personal terms with the player, and would submit an offer in the coming days to move forward with the purchase of his transfer rights.

Zeballos’s release clause is 15 million euros, and given that he will be a free agent in just six months, it is unlikely Napoli will pay that amount. The figures being discussed at the La Ribera club are between 10 and 12 million, which would be enough to seal the transfer. In any case, since there is still nothing official from Napoli, the only concrete thing is that the club is ready for his departure.

The decision is clear: if he does not renew his contract, the Changuito must be sold in this transfer window. Boca is not willing to let the 24-year-old forward begin the final six months of his deal at the club, because that would open the door for him to negotiate openly with other teams and leave with his transfer in hand starting in January 2027.

Fate has given him a chance, and it remains to be seen whether Zeballos will take it. A substitute after his serious muscle injury, the Santiago del Estero native now has the opportunity to return to the starting lineup in a crucial match due to the injuries to Adam Bareiro and Miguel Merentiel (who they still are not entirely ready to rule out). Partnering Milton Giménez up front, the Changuito will have the chance at his feet to say goodbye to his fans with an unforgettable Copa night. Universidad Católica will be his final opponent.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.