What happened: Udinese exercised their option earlier this week to sign Nicolo Zaniolo permanently, according to the signal. The move has not settled his future, with no agreement reported over a new contract and AC Milan still attentive to the situation.

Why it matters: The uncertainty keeps Zaniolo’s next step open even after Udinese moved to secure his rights. For AC Milan, it adds another attacking option to monitor as the club shapes its squad for the upcoming 2026 season.

What to watch: Watch whether Udinese can bridge the contract gap with Zaniolo. Milan’s posture becomes more meaningful if talks remain stalled.