Napoli are advancing towards the signing of Boca Juniors winger Exequiel Zeballos following a meeting between the player’s agent and sporting director Giovanni Manna in Naples earlier this week. The 24-year-old Argentina international has already agreed personal terms on a four-year contract worth €1.3 million per season, Corriere dello Sport reports, marking a significant step in the Serie A side’s summer recruitment drive.
Negotiations and Fee Structure
The proposed transfer would see Zeballos move to Italy for a fee significantly lower than his contractual release clause. The Buenos Aires-born forward is tied to Boca until December 2026 and carries a €20 million buy-out option. Napoli have no intention of triggering that clause, instead hoping to secure the deal for roughly €10 million.
There is a slight discrepancy between Italian media outlets regarding the current status of negotiations. Transfer expert Alfredo Pedullà indicates that the Partenopei have already lodged a formal €10 million offer. Conversely, Tuttosport understands that Napoli are finalising an opening bid of €9 million. Both figures fall well short of the release clause but align with the diminishing value of a player entering the final 18 months of his contract.
Contract Stand-off at Boca
Zeballos has been frozen out of the Boca first-team squad after refusing to sign an extension beyond his current expiry date. This stance has effectively forced the Argentine club’s hand, compelling them to sell during the current window rather than risk depreciation in future transfer markets. The player has communicated his desire to join Napoli exclusively and is willing to wait for the clubs to find common ground.
The negotiations took a decisive step forward on Wednesday when Zeballos’ representative sat down with Manna to confirm the attacker’s enthusiasm for the switch to the Stadio Maradona. This direct dialogue has accelerated a move that was initially flagged by Pedullà earlier in the week.
What Happens Next
Should the clubs align on the transfer fee, the medical examinations and registration formalities could proceed swiftly given the advanced state of the personal terms. The move would allow Zeballos to leave Argentina after being marginalised by his current employers, while Napoli would secure a young international winger without meeting the full €20 million clause.