Nicolò Zaniolo agrees new Udinese contract until 2029

Nicolò Zaniolo has reached a verbal agreement with Udinese over a contract extension that will keep him at the club until June 2029, with an option for a further season, multiple sources including Sky Sport Italia and Sportitalia confirmed on Monday.

The 27-year-old former Roma and Galatasaray midfielder had refused to report for pre-season training last week, submitting a doctor's note instead, as negotiations over his wage structure dragged on. His initial move to Udinese came on deadline day of last summer's transfer window — a loan from Galatasaray with an option to buy — and the two sides had agreed at the time to revisit salary terms at the end of the 2025-26 campaign.

Udinese triggered the purchase option following an encouraging season from Zaniolo, who contributed three goals and five assists in 32 Serie A appearances, helping the Friulani to a mid-table finish. However, the subsequent contract talks proved more complex than anticipated, leading to a stand-off that dominated the club's pre-season headlines.

According to reports from Calciomercato, the breakthrough came when Udinese restructured the offer to guarantee a higher proportion of fixed salary rather than relying heavily on performance-related bonuses. The new deal is understood to be worth approximately €2 million per season, with additional performance incentives built in.

Zaniolo is expected to return to training on Tuesday and put pen to paper on the contract shortly afterwards, bringing an end to a saga that had threatened to sour relations between player and club.

The Italy international, capped 18 times by the Azzurri, joined Udinese seeking to revive a career that had stalled after a difficult spell at Galatasaray and injuries that hampered his previous stints at Roma and Aston Villa. The Friuli outfit gave him a platform to rebuild, and the long-term commitment now signals mutual satisfaction with how that project has progressed.

Sources

• https://football-italia.net/zaniolo-reaches-new-agreement-with-udinese/