Napoli have submitted an opening offer of just under €10m to Boca Juniors for Argentine attacker Exequiel Zeballos. The Serie A side have already agreed personal terms with the 24-year-old, who is eager to secure a move to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona ahead of the new campaign.
The bid, approximately $10m according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, falls below the €14.5m release clause in the player’s contract. Sportitalia journalist Alfredo Pedullà had previously reported on 9 July that an offer in this region was expected. With Zeballos’s deal expiring on 31 December, Boca Juniors face pressure to sell this summer rather than risk losing him without compensation in January.
Zeballos operates primarily as a right winger in a front three but can also deputise on the left or through the centre. He has turned down a lucrative contract extension from the Buenos Aires club, signalling his intention to leave. His desire to join Napoli is partly inspired by the opportunity to play at the stadium named after legendary compatriot Diego Maradona, with the forward keen to follow in the footsteps of the Argentina icon.
TyC Sports reported that personal terms were agreed as early as May, leaving only the transfer fee to be negotiated between the two clubs. The Argentine champions must now decide whether to accept Napoli’s opening offer or hold out for a higher fee despite the risk of losing the versatile attacker for nothing when the transfer window reopens in January.
The deal represents an opportunity for Napoli to secure a versatile forward at a reduced price due to the contract situation, while Boca must weigh the financial benefit of an immediate sale against the sporting value of keeping the player for the remainder of their campaign. Negotiations are expected to continue as both parties seek a resolution before the window closes.