Liverpool Transfer News: Piotr Zielinski Bid of £25M Reported, Latest Rumours

Liverpool have reportedly lodged a £25 million offer for Napoli midfielder Piotr Zielinski after missing out on a move for the Poland international in 2016. 

Italian newspaper Il Mattino (h/t Mirror), reported the Reds have returned with an early summer offer for Zielinski, but Napoli are believed to be seeking a gargantuan £60 million in order to sell.

Tottenham Hotspur are also mentioned among the interested parties, but both Premier League clubs could be priced out of any transfer battle before it's had a chance to begin if Napoli's valuation proves genuine.

The 23-year-old moved to Napoli from Udinese last summer following a two-year loan with Empoli, and the midfield talent enjoyed a productive debut season at the Stadio San Paolo.

Zielinski scored six goals and recorded seven assists in 47 appearances across all competitions—he started in 24 of those outings—and Bleacher Report's Lars Pollmann recently questioned if another move was far away:

Sport Witness also cited Il Mattino and said that Reds manager Jurgen Klopp is "clearly desperate to sign" Zielinski, having signed Polish stars like Robert Lewandowski, Jakub Blaszczykowski and Lukasz Piszczek at former club Borussia Dortmund.

Zielinski's profile has exploded as a result of a triumphant first campaign in Naples, and GianlucaDiMarzio.com reporter David Amoyal commented on the value of his signature:

Able to play in central midfield or closer to the front line, the Serie A star could complement the likes of Adam Lallana, Georginio Wijnaldum and captain Jordan Henderson well if he were to move to Merseyside.

A major obstacle threatens to stop Liverpool's pursuit in its tracks, however. Zielisnki spoke to Italian daily Tuttosport (h/t Football Italia) in March and insisted he wasn't chasing a move to England:

"The Premier League? Now I’m certainly thinking only about Napoli, there I am fine with many champions such as [Marek] Hamsik, [Pepe] Reina, [Jose] Callejon and [Raul] Albiol.

"Almost the whole team would say that I try to do everything for Napoli, they are a great team with fantastic fans, and it’s a beautiful city so I do not want to move."

Not only do Liverpool therefore need to convince Napoli into a sale, but they must also persuade Zielinski to leave a city and a club for which he appears to have quickly developed great fondness.

If the midfielder's valuation remains at the reported £60 million and Zielinski doesn't warm to a Merseyside move, Klopp's Liverpool will be pushed to promptly switch their attentions this summer.