​Nicolo Zaniolo is not currently training with Udinese and has submitted a medical certificate to explain his absence. Reports published on Sunday indicate that his ongoing salary dispute with the club remains unresolved, too. Zaniolo spent the 2025-26 season at Udinese on loan from Galatasaray, with an option to buy that was eventually exercised. Udinese reportedly paid €5 million to secure his permanent signing, while Galatasaray retained a 50 percent sell-on clause.
Zaniolo’s agent has recently stated that the forward accepted a lower salary offer from Udinese last summer to push through a move before the transfer window closed, a decision made in a race against time. The agent argues that the salary Udinese agreed upon does not reflect Zaniolo’s current market value now that the transfer is permanent. It is claimed that Udinese had agreed to negotiate a new personal terms package before finalizing the permanent transfer, but those discussions have not taken place, leaving Zaniolo feeling bitterly disappointed.
Media reports have circulated claiming that Zaniolo’s annual net salary was around €3 million while at Galatasaray, with a voluntary cut to about €1.2 million per year to join Udinese last summer. This spring, there were suggestions that a verbal agreement had been reached with Udinese to raise the salary to €1.8 million per season, but Corriere dello Sport later indicated that the deal was not yet settled and that Zaniolo remains open to offers from other clubs.
In the meantime, Zaniolo is not part of Udinese’s pre-season training and has produced a medical certificate to justify his absence. The situation highlights ongoing tensions between the player and club over personal terms and compensation, even as the transfer to Udinese has been completed and the option to buy has been exercised. As the situation evolves, Zaniolo’s camp appears ready to consider outside options if a satisfactory financial agreement with Udinese cannot be reached.