Inter Milan is already considering selling Piotr Zielinski following a frustrating and underwhelming first season at the San Siro.
Signed on a free transfer from Napoli last summer, the Polish midfielder was expected to be a key figure for Simone Inzaghi.
Instead, he endured a frustrating campaign marked by limited minutes and frequent injuries, and of course, now has a new manager.
Is Inter Selling Zielinski?
Zielinski’s case is part of a broader reassessment underway at the club. With new owners Oaktree prioritizing a leaner squad and wage bill, several senior players are being re-evaluated.
That includes recent additions like Zielinski and Mehdi Taremi, both of whom were acquired on high wages under the old regime.
Inter has plenty of midfielders at the club, with many ahead of Zielinski in the eyes of head coach Cristian Chivu. As a result, the Nerazzurri is quietly exploring the market for potential suitors.
As clubs monitor the situation, chatter has grown within footballing circles – including among offshore sportsbooks, which have taken notice of a potential summer departure for the Poland international.
Zielinski was signed to succeed Henrikh Mkhitaryan, but things never quite aligned. In the first half of the 2024–25 Serie A season, Mkhitaryan played more than triple the minutes of the Polish international.
Even in the latter part of the campaign, Zielinski was limited by a calf muscle injury, which worsened during the Club World Cup.
His total league minutes: just 971, compared to Mkhitaryan’s 2,412.
Although Zielinski is said to be happy in Milan, Inter are no longer convinced of his fit in the project.
The financial weight of his €4.5 million annual salary also contradicts the direction the club is intending to head under new leadership.
Which Clubs Could Sign Zielinski?
So far, there’s been no significant interest in Zielinski from Italy or major European clubs.
That’s pushed Inter to consider the Saudi Pro League, where clubs remain interested in signing top-tier European talent and can afford higher wage demands.
Zielinski is currently training separately from the main group but isn’t actively pushing for a move.
However, Inter are open to listening to any offers, particularly if a deal eases financial pressure and allows them to reinvest in younger, more dynamic midfield profiles.
Of course, Zielinski still has a chance to change the narrative. San Siro has seen its share of players turn things around – Marcelo Brozovic being a prime example.
However, given the lukewarm internal sentiment and rife competition for midfield spots, the odds seem stacked against him.
If he does stay, and he can stay healthy and earn trust under Chivu, there might still be a path forward. Otherwise, Inter will likely move on, quietly closing the book on a transfer they had once viewed as a smart free-agent coup.
