Liverpool transfer BLOW! Napoli leading race for Reds target Piotr Zielinski

Napoli have edged ahead in the race to land Liverpool target Piotr Zielinski.

It looked as though Reds manager Jurgen Klopp was set to complete a deal to land the Poland starlet from Udinese this summer.

In fact, the move seemed so close that some reports in Italy had suggested that Napoli had given up on signing Zielinski, who impressed during a season-long loan at Empoli last term.

However, according to the Gazzetta dello Sport, Napoli have performed a transfer U-turn and have now lodged another bid with their Serie A rivals.

The Stadio San Paolo club have offered £15.2million for the 22-year-old midfielder, which is still just short of the £17m Udinese are demanding for his sale.

However the offer is a clear signal of intent from Napoli, who are hoping to take advantage of the delay in Liverpool's negotiations.