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Napoli director Mauro Meluso insists the club’s decision to omit Piotr Zielinski from the Champions League squad has nothing to do with his contractual wobble. The Poland international’s future at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona seems destined to halt at the end of the season.
Zielinski’s contract runs out in the summer. Despite several attempts to convince him to sign a new deal, Napoli have made no progress. The 29-year-old is seemingly determined to cut short his long-term association with the reigning Serie A champions.
The ex-Udinese playmaker has refused every approach from Napoli over a new agreement, with sources close to the player revealing he has agreed to join fierce rivals Inter as a free agent. Such talks have now gone down well with the club hierarchy, resulting in his omission from the Champions League list.
Asked to provide an update on the situation, the Napoli chief maintained it was ‘purely about football.’
“We talked to them, explained the logic behind these decisions, which were purely about football,” Meluso told DAZN, as quoted by Gianluca Di Marzio. “Zielinski is a golden lad and a great professional, he has given a great deal to Napoli and will continue to give a lot to Napoli, albeit only in Serie A.“
Walter Mazzarri’s return to the bench derailed Zielinski’s first-team prospects at Napoli. But after the Italian manager reverted to Luciano Spalleti’s Scudetto-winning 4-3-3 formation, the Pole has regained his place in the starting XI.
But the club couldn’t overlook his reluctance to put pen to paper on a new deal.
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Fabrizio Romano: Club has 'reactivated direct talks with Chelsea' for summer transfer
Fabrizio Romano is reporting that a club have now reactivated direct talks with Chelsea for a transfer move this summer. Chelsea seemingly need to get some more outgoing deals done and tied up before they can finish more of their incomings that they want to try and do. We all know the situation now with Xavi Simons of RB Leipzig and how Chelsea are still trying to get that one done. Simons himself is now doing all he can to push this transfer to Chelsea through. And this comes after Chelsea announced the new signing of another Dutch international, Jorrel Hato on Sunday afternoon after a much shorter transfer saga. But as I said, I think if Chelsea can manage to get a few more outgoing deals moving forward then it might help with more new arrivals. Chukwuemeka to Dortmund? It’s been no secret that Chelsea midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka wants to stay at Dortmund into next season after spending a season on loan there last season. But it always looked like something that had gone cold and would not happen due to the fact that Dortmund seemingly only wanted to do another loan, yet Chelsea wanted a permanent transfer. Talks restart between the clubs Well, it might still get done because Dortmund and Chelsea are now in talks again, as per Fabrizio Romano. He’s just posted on X: “Understand Borussia Dortmund have reactivated direct talks with Chelsea for Carney Chukwuemeka. “Negotiations ongoing between the clubs to find a solution as Carney wants the move. “Chelsea insist on permanent transfer.” Well, we will have to see if anything comes of it this time then!
Milwaukee Brewers: Nestor Cortes Makes Big Admission About Sudden Trade to Padres
As it turned out, veteran pitcher Nestor Cortes’ time with the Milwaukee Brewers was just a short one. Cortes, who was acquired by the Brewers via a trade with the New York Yankees in December and signed a one-year, $7.6 million contract with the Brewers nearly a month later, has been sent by Milwaukee to the San Diego Padres ahead of last week’s trade deadline. Cortes opens up about trade from Milwaukee Brewers to San Diego The 30-year-old Cortes recently shared how he learned he was on the move to San Diego, which came just minutes before he was to board the team bus for a road trip. “It’s been a little crazy, I was in Milwaukee and flew in last night,” Cortes said on Monday (h/t Marty Caswell of The Sporting Tribune). “But as soon as I got traded, a bunch of people reached out and made me feel like I was really welcomed here. And walking into the clubhouse today, obviously a lot of guys came up to me and presented me to all these places that we have here. It’s amazing for me now. Just happy to be here, happy for the opportunity.” Getting traded wasn’t exactly a surprise for Cortes, and he also seemingly got to an ideal situation with the Padres despite parting ways with a Milwaukee squad that is leading the big leagues in the standings with 67 wins through Sunday. “I was a little surprised. Even though I felt if there was a chance to get out of Milwaukee, it was going to be to a contender and I’m just happy to be here and happy to compete,” added Cortes. “I want to get the ball every five days hopefully and be able to give the best that I can.” Cortes appeared in only two games with the Brewers, as he landed on the 15-day injured list with an elbow flexor strain before getting placed on the 60-day IL.
25-time Grammy winner's sports agency blasts Jerry Jones for 'comical' comment
The Dallas Cowboys may have 99 problems, and the way owner Jerry Jones handles contract negotiations could be considered a big one. Jones spoke with the media Saturday regarding Micah Parsons' contract situation. The EDGE, who is entering the final year of his rookie deal, has requested a trade. The 82-year-old owner clarified the Cowboys have no plans to trade Parsons. While discussing negotiations, Jones took an unprovoked jab at former Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant and his agent, rapper Jay-Z. "When we have a problem within the team and a player, I don't ever find the agent. He's nowhere to be found," Jones said. "...Jay-Z and I negotiated [Bryant's contract in 2015], spent hours. He said, 'Anybody in my organization is on time.' He said, 'My office used to be on the street corner, and I've always been early. So, they will be on time.' And I said, 'Where do I sign? But I'm going to call you.' Finally, he quit taking my call." The 25-time Grammy winner's sports agency, Roc Nation, took issue with Jones' comment. In a statement released on X Sunday, it denied his claim, calling it "comical." This is yet another example of Jones prioritizing attention when he should be focused on extending two-time first-team All-Pro Parsons. The Cowboys often delay deals for their stars. The team signed Bryant to a five-year, $70M deal in July 2015, just before the deadline to extend players with a franchise tag. Last season, Dallas signed quarterback Dak Prescott to a four-year, $240M contract ahead of its season opener against the Cleveland Browns. The team's procrastination often leaves it paying even more for star players and wastes valuable time. Parsons is still with the team at training camp in Oxnard, Calif., but isn't participating. He likely wants a contract that's similar to that of Pittsburgh Steelers EDGE T.J. Watt (three years, $123M). The pass-rusher is the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league. Jones' methods are one reason the Cowboys haven't won a Super Bowl since the 1995 season. Jay-Z should mention that if he wants to write a single that includes a lyric about the owner.
Brewers place All-Star righty Jacob Misiorowski on 15-day injured list
The Brewers announced this morning that they’ve placed right-hander Jacob Misiorowski on the 15-day injured list due to a left tibia contustion, retroactive to July 31. Right-hander Logan Henderson was recalled to replace Misiorowski on the active roster. Misiorowski was expected to start Sunday's game against the Nationals, but instead will head to the shelf. That the right-hander’s injury doesn’t involve his arm is surely heartening news for fans in Milwaukee, but it’s nonetheless worrisome for such a key piece of the club’s recent surge to miss any time at all while the team is locked in a heated division race with the Cubs. The Brewers have more wins than any other team in baseball, but they’re just two games up on Chicago in the NL Central. Any amount of time missed by such a talented arm will be a blow, but if Misiorowski misses only the minimum, he could be back on the mound for the club’s series opener against the Reds on Aug. 15. The Brewers are surely hoping that the injury will prove to be a minor one. The rookie was somewhat controversially named an All-Star this year despite having just five appearances in the majors under his belt prior to this year’s All-Star game, but he’s done everything in his power to justify that honor with a 2.70 ERA, 3.10 FIP and an absurd 36.4% strikeout rate in 33 1/3 innings of work. Misiorowski’s huge strikeout numbers are somewhat balanced out by a 10.9% walk rate, which is quite elevated for a starter, but his overpowering stuff (which includes a fastball that averages 99 mph on the radar gun) is more than enough to make up for those pitfalls when it comes to control. Misiorowski isn’t the only injury of note the Brewers have suffered in recent days. Star outfielder Jackson Chourio is on the injured list due to a hamstring strain and might not be back until September. Another major piece of the club’s outfield puzzle, Sal Frelick, was pulled from Friday's game due to knee soreness in what the Brewers described (according to Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel) as “precautionary.” With Chourio and Misiorowski out of commission for the time being and Frelick’s status uncertain, the Brewers are looking very banged up after a quiet trade deadline that saw them add only backup catcher Danny Jansen from the Rays and injured right-hander Shelby Miller of the Diamondbacks while trading away starter Nestor Cortes Jr. in a deal with the Padres. With Misiorowski headed to the shelf, Henderson figures to start Sunday's game in his stead. The 21-year-old made his big league debut earlier this year and has looked quite good in four spot starts with the club. He’s posted a 1.71 ERA and a 3.05 FIP in 21 innings of work at the big league level this year while striking out 35.8% of his opponents, though a 3.59 ERA and 27.9% strikeout rate in 16 appearances at Triple-A is slightly less impressive. Regardless, Henderson will have the opportunity to further establish himself as the next man up in a crowded rotation mix that has sent arms like Chad Patrick and Tobias Myers to Triple-A as depth.
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