​Sportitalia transfer guru Alfredo Pedullà has updated the ongoing Zeballos saga, claiming that Napoli have now lodged a formal €10 million offer to Boca Juniors for Exequiel Zeballos, following what was described as successful negotiations on the personal terms front with the player. In the last 24 hours, Italian outlets had circulated multiple reports suggesting that the Partenopei had secured a green light from the attacking winger to move to Napoli, and TyC Sports suggested there could be truth in those claims. However, the South American broadcaster stressed that Boca Juniors had not yet received any official bid from Napoli.
The latest development comes from Buenos Aires on May 19, when Zeballos was involved in a Copa CONMEBOL Libertadores 2026 group D match against Cruzeiro at Estadio Alberto J. Armando. Photographs from the match show Otavio of Cruzeiro challenging Zeballos, underscoring the ongoing attention Zeballos has drawn from European clubs. As of this evening, Pedullà’s update indicates that Napoli have made their first written offer of €10m for Zeballos, a move that could be sufficient to push negotiations forward given the forward’s contract status.
Zeballos is currently under contract with Boca Juniors through December 2026, which could facilitate the deal if Napoli’s bid aligns with Boca’s valuation and Zeballos’ own preferences. If the forward has indeed chosen Napoli as his preferred destination, finalizing the transfer might not pose excessive difficulty, particularly since Zeballos is reportedly more inclined toward Napoli than other suitors such as CSKA Moscow.
Yet there remains a significant hurdle for Napoli. Italian football regulations and the club’s current financial constraints place a cap on new signings until after they complete any required sales under financial fair play rules. This means Napoli cannot officially finalize new acquisitions until they resolve outstanding departures that would free up the necessary financial space. The situation hinges on whether Napoli can strike a balance between meeting Boca’s asking price and aligning with their own economic restrictions, all while addressing Zeballos’ personal preference for a move to the Italian club.
In summary, the scenario centers on a €10m written offer from Napoli for Exequiel Zeballos, coupled with reported personal terms already agreed with the player. While there is optimism that Zeballos views Napoli favorably and could be persuaded to join, the impending obstacle of fair play restrictions means Napoli must first orchestrate sales to make room for another signing. If Napoli can navigate these constraints and Boca accepts the offer, a move for Zeballos could progress toward completion, with Zeballos potentially becoming a new Napoli player and bringing a dynamic attacking option to the squad. The situation remains fluid, with official confirmation contingent on the club’s ability to clear space under FFP rules and Boca’s willingness to part with a valued asset.