Liverpool are ‘set to renew their interest in Napoli midfielder Piotr Zielinski’ – whose contract expires next summer – seven years after Jurgen Klopp missed out on the Polish star… and picked up Georginio Wijnaldum instead

• Reds came close to agreeing deal for Poland international in the summer of 2016
• Piotr Zielinski went on to join Napoli for just £14m and would win  Serie A in 2023
• Can Liverpool challenge for the title? Listen to the debate on It’s All Kicking Off 

Liverpool are reportedly one of a number of clubs weighing up a move for Napoli midfielder Piotr Zielinski, who contract in Naples expires next summer. 

The 29-year-old came close to joining the Anfield club in the summer of 2016 – Jurgen Klopp’s first on Merseyside – but difficult negotiations with Udinese led the Reds to pursue a deal for Georginio Wijnaldum instead. 

Seven years later and the Poland international looks to be on the move again with his current deal coming to an end in 2024 with no prospect of renewal on the horizon. 

According to  Corriere dello Sport, Klopp’s side are set to renew their interest in the Serie A champion but they face competition from Juventus. 

Zielinski, who has scored 50 goals and registered 46 assists in 343 games for Napoli, will be free to talk to other clubs about a summer move in January. 

Piotr Zielinski could be set to end his time with Serie A champions Napoli next summer

The midfielder has been on Jurgen Klopp’s radar for a long time having nearly moved to the Anfield club in the German’s first summer transfer window at Liverpool

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The Reds were ultimately thrilled by their consolation prize, Georginio Wijnaldum, who turned out to be crucial to their success at home and on the continent

In 2016, Liverpool grew frustrated by Udinese’s hard bargaining and pulled out of a deal for the midfielder – only for the Italian club to sell him to Napoli for just £14million.

However, in Wijnaldum the Reds ended up with a more than worthy consolation prize. The Netherlands international formed a crucial part of Klopp’s Premier League and Champions League winning rosters. 

He made 237 appearances for the Premier League giants, recording 22 goals ad 16 assists before his departure for PSG in 2021.

Liverpool’s midfield has undergone wholesale changes this term with the departures of Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, Naby Keita, James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. 

The arrivals of Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai have spurred the side on to a solid start this season even after the disappointment of Sunday’s 1-1 draw against newly-promoted Luton Town. 

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