Report: Jurgen Klopp 'Enthralled' by Piotr Zielinski Amid Napoli Contract Talk

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is reportedly "enthralled" with Napoli midfielder Piotr Zielinski, but the Partenopei are hoping to tie him down on a new contract.

According to Calciomercato.com's Daniele Longo (h/t Sport Witness' Tom Coast), Klopp remains an admirer of Zielinski, whom he missed out on singing in 2016, when he opted to join Napoli from Udinese. However, it's said it will be "almost impossible" to sign him in January.

The Serie A side want to tie him down to a new deal until 2022, though, which would see his release clause increase from €65 million (£57.8 million) to "at least €100 million" (£89 million).

Zielinski made 47 appearances for Napoli last season, and while he only made 22 starts in all competitions—14 of which were in Serie A—he seems to be growing more important to the team and could play a key role under new manager Carlo Ancelotti.

He has started all three of the Partenopei's matches this season and showed his growing eye for goal with a brace against AC Milan.

The 24-year-old scored five, six and seven goals, respectively, over the past three seasons, and he will hope to use the early brace as a platform to continue that trend of increasing his tally each year.

The Poland international is a creative, ball-playing midfielder who looks to push forward in support of attacks, and he's on his way to becoming a star in Italian football.

Serie A experts David Amoyal and Matthew Santangelo showered him with praise when he scored for Poland against Italy during international break:

It's little wonder Napoli will want to extend his stay at the club given his potential, and a new release clause would make signing him a costly exercise.

Liverpool have recruited the likes of Naby Keita, Fabinho and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain since missing out on Zielinski in 2016, so they are well stocked in midfield, although the latter is out with a long-term injury.

Zielinski could become a top player, though, so if he does not pen a new deal over the course of the season and the chance to sign him next summer arises, he could make a strong addition to Liverpool's squad.