Nicolo Zaniolo has failed to report for Udinese‘s pre-season training and submitted a medical certificate to justify his absence, as a tense dispute over his salary remains unresolved following his permanent transfer from Galatasaray.
The Italy international spent the 2025-26 campaign on loan at the Serie A side, who subsequently activated their €5 million purchase option to secure his services outright. Turkish giants Galatasaray, his former employers, retain a significant 50 per cent sell-on clause in any future transfer, meaning they would benefit from half of any fee Udinese might eventually receive should they decide to sell.
Zaniolo accepted a substantial reduction in wages to push through the initial loan move last summer, dropping from a reported €3 million annual salary in Turkey to €1.2 million in Italy. The understanding between both parties was that fresh terms would be negotiated once the transfer became permanent, reflecting his value as a full squad member rather than a temporary arrival facing a race against the transfer deadline.
Although reports earlier this week suggested a verbal agreement had been found to raise his earnings to €1.8 million per season, sources indicate the deal has not been signed or formally ratified. Corriere dello Sport claims that Zaniolo remains open to transferring elsewhere if the situation cannot be resolved satisfactorily, potentially alerting rival clubs across Europe.
His representative stated the player feels “bitterly disappointed” that Udinese have not honoured their commitment to improve his contract. The agent argues that his current pay does not match his status now that he is a permanent signing, particularly given the financial outlay the club made to acquire him from Turkey.
The stand-off leaves the attacking midfielder’s immediate future uncertain with the new season fast approaching. While the medical certificate explains his current absence from the training ground, the unresolved financial disagreement suggests Zaniolo could actively push for an exit if Udinese do not meet his revised wage demands.
The situation presents a dilemma for the Italian club, who must now decide whether to increase their wage budget to retain a player they invested in heavily, or risk losing him for a reduced fee due to the 50 per cent sell-on clause owed to Galatasaray. With Zaniolo prepared to explore alternative destinations, the coming days could determine whether he features for Udinese this season or seeks employment at another club.