Lech Poznań goalkeeper Bartosz Mrozek is close to completing a permanent transfer to Italian Serie A side Udinese Calcio. Negotiations have gathered speed for the 26-year-old Polish shot-stopper, who could leave the Polish champions at any moment.
Udinese are set to pay over one million euros for Mrozek under the proposed arrangement, with performance bonuses included in the agreement. According to journalist Sebastian Staszewski reporting on social media platform X, a permanent move this summer has now become the most probable scenario.
The development represents a shift in negotiations between the two clubs. Journalist Tomasz Włodarczyk reported in recent days that Udinese initially sought to sign the player on loan, while Lech Poznań negotiated for a mandatory purchase clause.
Selection changes at Poznań
Mrozek lost his starting position at Lech Poznań following the summer arrival of goalkeeper Mateusz Lis. Lis, a youth product of the Poznań club, returned to the capital of Greater Poland after eight years away and immediately established himself as the first-choice goalkeeper for the Polish champions.
However, Mrozek was not dropped solely for sporting reasons. Recognized as one of the top goalkeepers in the Ekstraklasa last season, the 26-year-old has spoken openly for several months about his desire to move to a foreign league.
Behind the scenes, a potential transfer to Turkish side Goztepe was discussed, the club from which Lech signed Lis. Mrozek ultimately rejected a move to the Turkish outfit.
Lech Poznań is one of the most successful football clubs in Poland, competing in the top-flight Ekstraklasa in Poznań, the regional capital of Greater Poland. Udinese Calcio is a long-established Italian club based in the northeastern city of Udine, competing in Italy's top division, Serie A.
Polish connections in Udine
If the move is finalized, Mrozek will enter a dressing room with several familiar figures from Polish football. Udinese are coached by German manager Kosta Runjaić, who is well known in Poland following managerial spells with Pogoń Szczecin and Legia Warsaw. Runjaić is supported on the coaching staff by first assistant Przemysław Małecki.
In the Udinese squad, Mrozek will join fellow Polish footballer Jakub Piotrowski. The Italian team's captain is Swedish midfielder Jesper Karlstroem, a former teammate of Mrozek at Lech Poznań.
Mrozek will face competition for the starting spot in goal from Nigerian goalkeeper Maduka Okoye. With no indication that Okoye will be dropped to the bench, Mrozek is expected to wait for domestic cup matches to get his first playing time for Udinese.
