Udinese has made its move. The Italian club activated a purchase clause to sign Nicolò Zaniolo on a permanent basis from Galatasaray, ending what turned out to be a productive loan spell and committing to the 26-year-old attacking midfielder for the long haul.

The deal is worth €5 million to Galatasaray, but it comes with a significant string attached. The Turkish club retains a 50% sell-on clause, meaning if Zaniolo eventually moves on from Udinese, Galatasaray gets half of whatever profit the Italian side makes on the sale.

Why Udinese picked the cheaper door

When Zaniolo joined Udinese on loan back on September 1, 2025, two purchase options were baked into the agreement.

Option A: pay €5 million and accept a 50% sell-on clause that ties Galatasaray to any future upside. Option B: pay €10 million and walk away with full, unencumbered ownership of the player’s rights.

Udinese went with Option A. The initial loan itself cost between €2.5 million and €3 million, so the total investment to bring Zaniolo to Friuli on a permanent basis lands somewhere in the €7.5 million to €8 million range.

Udinese reportedly notified Galatasaray of its decision around May 21, 2026, locking in the terms before any window-related complications could arise.

Zaniolo’s winding road back to Serie A

Born on July 2, 1999, Zaniolo rose through the youth system at AS Roma. At Galatasaray, he competed in Turkish domestic football and European competition. His loan to Udinese represented a return to the league where he first made his name.

The fact that Udinese moved to activate the purchase clause suggests the loan was more than just a trial run. Zaniolo reportedly expressed satisfaction with his situation at the club, and he’s expected to sign a multi-year contract, cementing his place in the squad heading into the new season.

What this means for everyone involved

For Galatasaray, they pocket €5 million immediately and maintain exposure to Zaniolo’s future value through the 50% sell-on clause. If Zaniolo eventually moves to a top-tier club for a significant fee, Galatasaray’s cut could prove far more lucrative than the €10 million they would have received under the alternative option.

For Udinese, the sell-on clause limits their future flexibility. If a Champions League club comes knocking with a €30 million bid, Udinese would only net half the profit above their €5 million purchase price.