Nicolò Zaniolo is at risk of being frozen out by Udinese as the Italy international remains on holiday and absent from pre-season training. According to Gazzetta dello Sport, the 25-year-old forward has been staying in Forte Dei Marmi, Tuscany, and is unwilling to rejoin his teammates, with a contract dispute at the heart of the stand-off. Zaniolo has until July 22 to report back or face being frozen out, leaving his immediate future in serious doubt.
Zaniolo’s loan from Galatasaray was made permanent at the end of the 2025-26 Serie A season, and multiple sources had earlier reported that an agreement for a new contract had been reached. However, the deal appears to have hit a stumbling block, and the player’s extended vacation has only added to the tension.
Contract Stand-off
The dispute has come as a surprise given Zaniolo’s successful campaign in Udine, where he scored crucial goals and looked like he had finally settled after a turbulent few years. Gazzetta reports that the club is now prepared to force the issue, setting a clear deadline for his return.
Key facts:
- Player: Nicolò Zaniolo
- Club: Udinese
- Current status: On holiday, not training
- Deadline: July 22, 2026
- Contract situation: Permanent transfer from Galatasaray agreed, but new deal now disputed
“Zaniolo is still on holiday in Forte Dei Marmi and is unwilling to resume training with the rest of the team. He’ll be frozen out if he fails to return before July 22,” Gazzetta dello Sport states.
If the deadline passes without a resolution, Udinese are likely to exclude Zaniolo from all first-team activities, a move that would significantly lower his transfer value and stall his attempt to re-establish himself as a regular Italy squad member. This off-field drama adds yet another layer of uncertainty to a career that has been punctuated by inconsistency since his breakout at Roma.
For now, the ball is in Zaniolo’s court. Should he return by July 22, a compromise may still be reached. But as things stand, the relationship between player and club appears strained, and a swift resolution is not guaranteed.
Source: Football Italia