Piotr Zielinski headlines our rumour mill as Liverpool plot raid for Napoli star

David Cooper - Writer 09:04 28/02/2018
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  • The January transfer window may be shut but there’s still plenty of news from the rumour mill with several moves being put off until the summer.

    Here, we round-up the transfer tales that have got everyone talking on Wednesday.

    PIOTR ZIELINSKI

    NAPLES, ITALY - FEBRUARY 15: Piotr Zielinski of SSC Napoli in action during UEFA Europa League Round of 32 match between Napoli and RB Leipzig at the Stadio San Paolo on February 15, 2018 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

    Piotr Zielinski has been a key player in Serie A and the Champions League.

    The Serie A table-toppers have slapped a huge £57 million (Dh291m) price tag on the attacking midfielder to keep reported interest from Liverpool at bay.

    Zielinski has been a vital cog in the finely oiled Partenopei machine this season, netting five goals in the league and weighing in with a further two in the Champions League.

    That has led to interest from the Merseysiders, as well as Arsenal, with Napoli remaining adamant he won’t be sold cheaply, according to the Corriere dello Sport.

    The Pole, who joined the Naples side two summers ago from Empoli, is said to be happy at the Stadio San Paolo.

    JANN-FIETE ARP

    HAMBURG, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 04: Jann-Fiete Arp of Hamburg celebrates after he scored a goal to make it 3:1 during the Bundesliga match between Hamburger SV and VfB Stuttgart at Volksparkstadion on November 4, 2017 in Hamburg, Germany. (Photo by Martin Rose/Bongarts/Getty Images)

    Jann-Fiete Arp is one of the top Bundesliga talents.

    Chelsea are monitoring the rising Hamburg star, who is demanding a significant increase in his salary to stay with the Bundesliga side.

    The 18-year-old homegrown striking talent, according to the Hamburger Morgenpost, wants a new deal worth €2m a season (Dh8.9m) – a significant increase on his existing €500,000 (Dh2.2m) sum.

    Arp has let it be known he isn’t fully content at the relegation-threatened side, prompting interest from the Blues who has apparently scouted the talent this term.

    The Stamford Bridge club could test Hamburg’s resolve to keep hold of the Germany under-17 forward this coming summer.

    ALVARO ODRIOZOLA

    Real Sociedad's Spanish defender Alvaro Odriozola eyes the ball during the Spanish league football match between Real Madrid CF and Real Sociedad at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on February 10, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / GABRIEL BOUYS (Photo credit should read GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images)

    Odriozola lung-busting runs from full-back have caught the eye.

    Manchester United could strengthen their defence when the transfer window reopens with the acquisition of the Real Sociedad full-back.

    The Red Devils sent scouts to watch the 22-year-old Spain international in the Europa League last Thursday, and were apparently impressed with what they saw according to the Daily Mail.

    Jose Mourinho has made it clear defensive reinforcements will be the priority in the close season, having revealed the club’s business at the top of the pitch is done and dusted.

    Odriozola’s rise has been rapid and he is expected to star in the World Cup in Russia for La Roja.

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