Napoli's Zeballos Coup Under Threat as CSKA Moscow Enter the Fray

Napoli have long had a reputation for sniffing out South American gems before the rest of Europe catches on, and their latest target, Boca Juniors' winger Exequiel Zeballos, fits that mould to a tee. GoalZaza understands that the Partenopei have secured a verbal agreement with the player, seemingly putting them in the driving seat for one of Argentina's most exciting young prospects.But in football, a handshake is rarely the final word. CSKA Moscow, with their deep pockets and increasingly shrewd recruitment strategy, are now ready to do battle. The Russian side have made no secret of their desire to bolster their attacking options, and Zeballos' blend of direct dribbling and eye for a killer pass makes him a compelling proposition. The question is, can Napoli's offer and the lure of Serie A outweigh the financial muscle of a club willing to blow the competition out of the waterFor Zeballos, this represents a crossroads. A move to Naples would place him in a squad that thrives on transitional play and gives young attackers room to express themselves, as we have seen with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. CSKA, on the other hand, offers Champions League football and a platform that has historically been a springboard to the Premier League or La Liga. The boy has a decision to make, and frankly, his head must be spinning.Napoli's hierarchy will now need to move quickly. Verbal agreements are all well and good, but in the transfer market, they are only as strong as the paper they are not written on. If CSKA formalise their interest, Aurelio De Laurentiis will have to decide whether to raise the stakes or walk away. Given his well documented love of a bargain, do not be surprised if we see some classic Italian brinkmanship in the coming days. This one is far from over.