Headline: Napoli Struggles to Secure Exequiel Zeballos as Celta Vigo Advances Interest
BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA – Napoli may be losing ground in their pursuit of Exequiel Zeballos as Celta Vigo reportedly dispatched medical staff to Argentina to assess the Boca Juniors striker. The versatile 24-year-old, who can play on the right wing, left wing, or as a centre-forward, appeared eager to join Napoli.
Zeballos, who did not sign a new contract with Boca Juniors, has an agreement that will expire on December 31, leading many to believe that finalizing a sale to avoid a free transfer would be straightforward. However, the process faced two main hurdles: Napoli needed to sell players to generate sufficient funds, and Boca Juniors was demanding over €10 million for Zeballos.
This stagnant situation has lingered for over a month, and reports indicate that Zeballos has grown impatient with the Serie A club. Recent speculation suggested that Celta Vigo had made a formidable bid, and now, sources such as La Voz Del Galicia have confirmed that the club’s medical team traveled to Argentina for examinations.
Despite Napoli’s sale of Romelu Lukaku to Fenerbahce for €6 million plus add-ons, the funds have not been adequate to intensify efforts for Zeballos.
Napoli might be on the verge of losing the race for Exequiel Zeballos, as it’s reported Celta Vigo sent medics to Argentina for tests with the Boca Juniors striker.
The versatile 24-year-old can play on the right wing, left or as a centre-forward, and seemed determined to join the Partenopei.
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Zeballos wanted Napoli
BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA – APRIL 14: Exequiel Zeballos of Boca Juniors runs with the ball during a Copa CONMEBOL Libertadores 2026 group D match between Boca Juniors and Barcelona SC at Estadio Alberto J. Armando on April 14, 2026 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. (Photo by Marcelo Endelli/Getty Images)
He refused to sign a new contract with Boca Juniors, so with his deal there set to expire on December 31, it was assumed reaching an agreement for the sale to avoid a free transfer would be relatively simple.
However, there were two main problems, firstly that Napoli first had to make sales to raise funds, secondly that Boca Juniors were demanding over €10m.
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The situation remained like that for over a month, and it is reported that Zeballos has lost patience with the Serie A giants.
There had already been suggestions over the last few days that Celta Vigo had made a strong bid, and now La Voz Del Galicia claim that the club sent one of their medical staff to Argentina for tests.
Although Romelu Lukaku was sold to Fenerbahce for €6m plus add-ons, it is not enough for Napoli to push on for Zeballos.
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