Inter star reveals: 'Arsenal and Liverpool wanted me in the summer'

Tom Weber
Tom Weber
  • Updated: 16 Nov 2024 16:46 GMT
  • 3 min read
Piotr Zielinski, Lautaro Martinez, Federico Dimarco, Inter, 2024/25
© IMAGO

Inter midfielder Piotr Zielinski has shed light on the high-profile suitors he had in the summer.

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The Polish midfielder has been one of the best in Serie A for the best part of a decade, but he was free to choose his next club in the summer. Zielinski was out of contract at Napoli and no agreement over an extension could be reached.

The 30-year-old decided to remain in Italy and signed for reigning champions Inter, who are currently trailing his table-topping former side by a point.

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So far, Zielinski has struggled to nail down a regular starting spot in Serie A and he has mostly featured from the beginning in Champions League fixtures.

Previously, the Pole was frequently associated with a move to Liverpool. For a solid five years or so, it seemed as though the midfielder was linked with Liverpool every summer. Now, he has revealed that the Reds were indeed still keen on him earlier this year.

Piotr Zielinski
© IMAGO - Piotr Zielinski

Zielinski reveals summer suitors

Speaking to Kanal Sportowy on international duty, Zielinski explained his decision to sign for Inter and revealed that he could have also moved to England or Spain.

"Clubs like Liverpool, Arsenal and Atletico Madrid were interested in me, and I also received specific requests from Barcelona," he said. "However, I love Italy. When I arrived at Napoli I immediately felt very comfortable and for this reason, it would have been difficult for me to move to England.

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"I could have thought about Spain, but my priority was to continue my career in Italy. I am now at Inter, but Napoli is still a great club and I would have loved to renew my contract there."

Zielinski obtained Italian citizenship in October 2023, illustrating how settled he is in the country and how difficult it would have been for him to leave. He first arrived in Italy in 2011 when he joined Udinese's youth set-up from Lubin.

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