​Corriere dello Sport is reporting that Napoli have reached an agreement with Boca Juniors for Exequiel Zeballos, the 24-year-old winger who has been linked with a move to Italy. The agent representing Zeballos met with Giovanni Manna, Napoli’s director, in Naples earlier this week, signaling both sides’ readiness to push forward with the transfer. Zeballos, who has drawn significant interest from European clubs, is poised to join Napoli after already agreeing to personal terms with the Serie A club. The agreement in principle is understood to be for a four-year contract with a yearly salary of around €1.3 million, subject to the usual final negotiations and formalities.
The development comes after Alfredo Pedullà first reported the news, with Corriere dello Sport providing additional context about the evolving deal. The newspaper notes that Zeballos has expressed a clear preference for a move to Napoli and is prepared to wait for Boca Juniors to concede on the transfer, should a satisfactory agreement be reached. Boca Juniors currently hold a €20 million release clause on Zeballos, but Napoli is not intent on matching that figure, particularly since Zeballos’ contract with Boca runs only until December 31, 2026. This timing factor gives Napoli a potential window to negotiate a deal below a club-structured price, provided Boca is willing to negotiate and Napoli can meet other terms, including fit within the squad and salary structure.
Both Eyewitness reports and photographers’ images have documented Zeballos’ status as a Boca Juniors player in recent weeks, with the player continuing to be part of Boca’s squad in official fixtures while the transfer saga unfolds. The question remains whether Boca will grant a sale at a price that satisfies both clubs’ strategic aims and whether Zeballos himself is comfortable with the move, given his own stated preference for a transfer to Napoli.
In parallel reporting, there have been varying figures floated about the potential transfer fee. Pedullà indicated that Napoli had already offered €10 million, suggesting a willingness to meet Boca’s expectations with a sizeable bid. Tuttosport, meanwhile, has suggested an opening bid in the vicinity of €9 million, reflecting a scenario in which Napoli hopes to strike a bottom-line deal early in the negotiation process. The two outlets collectively illustrate Napoli’s intent to secure Zeballos without triggering Boca’s full release clause, relying instead on a negotiated transfer that benefits all parties involved.
The situation remains dynamic as talks continue, with Napoli hoping to finalize a deal that aligns with their tactical plan and Zeballos’ career ambitions. Should negotiations progress smoothly, Napoli would add a winger with international experience and a proven goal threat to their attacking options, potentially offering depth and versatility on the right flank. For Boca Juniors, the outcome hinges on whether they can extract a fee that reflects Zeballos’ market value while balancing the club’s broader transfer strategy and squad requirements. As ever in these high-stakes negotiations, the next steps will depend on the willingness of both clubs to close the gap on price and terms, as well as Zeballos’ own readiness to embrace a new challenge in European football.