Nicolò Zaniolo has signed a new contract with Udinese that binds him to the Serie A club until June 2029, resolving a tense summer dispute over wages. The Italy international is scheduled to resume pre-season training on Tuesday after missing the initial weeks of preparation while his representatives negotiated improved terms.
The agreement brings to an end a contractual stand-off that threatened to disrupt the midfielder’s second season in northeastern Italy. Zaniolo initially joined Udinese on deadline day last August on loan from Galatasaray, with the arrangement rushed through on the understanding that financial terms would be revisited if the club activated their option to make the transfer permanent.
Udinese duly exercised their purchase clause at the end of the campaign, paying €7.5 million to Galatasaray. Although this secured Zaniolo on a contract running to 2029, the activation of the clause triggered protracted negotiations over his salary structure. When discussions proved difficult, the player refused to attend pre-season sessions, instead presenting a medical certificate to account for his absence.
During the impasse, his agent reportedly offered the 27-year-old to several alternative destinations, with AC Milan emerging as the most prominent suitor. However, no formal transfer materialised, allowing Udinese to retain their asset and eventually reach a compromise.
Revised financial structure
Under the new agreement, Zaniolo will earn approximately €2 million per season supplemented by bonuses. The deal shifts his earnings toward a more guaranteed fixed salary rather than the previous performance-heavy add-on structure. The contract also contains an option for an additional season beyond 2029.
Galatasaray retain a 50 per cent stake in any future transfer fee should Udinese sell the player down the line, a remnant of the original loan-to-buy arrangement that brought the former Roma and Aston Villa midfielder to Italy’s top flight.
Creative boost for Udinese
The resolution secures the services of a player who contributed six goals and six assists across 34 appearances in all competitions last season. His return represents a significant boost to Udinese’s creative resources as they prepare for the upcoming Serie A campaign, allowing the coaching staff to reintegrate a proven attacking midfielder who had established himself as a key component of their first team.